Cause of Death Still Under Investigation for Faifeau & Woman

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The coroner has adjourned the inquest into the deaths of a church minister and a female parishioner last July so more information into the movements of the pair can be obtained.

Samoa Observer reports coroner Alalatoa Rosella Viane-Papalii is not satisfied with what happened between the pair’s last sighting and when they were found dead in a car.

A medical expert’s report has concluded that Assembly of God pastor Leao Lui Seve and parishioner Malae Ioane, are likely to have died from petroleum poisoning.

The report by Pathologist, Professor Carl Winskog, was exhibited and read out by Dr. Agape Amituana’i, who examined the bodies of the deceased upon arrival at the Moto’otua hospital.

Dr. Amituanai told the Court she recalls the deceased were dead on arrival on or about 30 July to 31 July 2019.

She said the cause of death is unknown and there were no obvious external wounds on Leao and Ms. Ioane.

A request was then made for an autopsy.

Dr. Winskog’s report on 66-year-old Leao stated that he was found deceased in a closed car together with another person.

“In the car it was found an opened petrol container that allegedly had tipped over and caused petrol to pool on the carpet in the back of the car,” the Pathologist said.

“Death is most likely due to petroleum poisoning. Even though the deceased [Leao] had severe coronary disease it is unlikely that he would’ve died from an acute cardiac event…”

“it is therefore my opinion that he died from fumes caused by the opened petroleum container in the car.”

In his findings into the death of 49-year-old Ms. Ioane, of Siusega, Dr. Winskog noted the Pathological findings were “none” and injuries “none”.

He said the mother of one had no natural disease.

“It is therefore likely that petroleum poisoning caused by the open petroleum container in the car killed both individuals in the car.”

Coroner Alalatoa ordered the prosecutor to find out what happened to Leao and Ms. Ioane between 12pm on July 30, 2019 to 12 am July 31, 2019 when they were found dead.

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