Samoan literary figure Sia Figiel found dead in prison while awaiting sentencing

Samoan writer and playwright Papalii Sia Figiel has been found dead in her prison cell while in custody for the killing of Professor Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard.

The 58-year-old was being held at Tanumalala Prison, where she was discovered by corrections officers early Monday morning. Police were alerted and her body was later taken to the hospital morgue. Authorities have not released the cause of death.

Figiel had been in custody since May 2024 after being charged with the violent murder of Dr Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard, a 78-year-old American Samoan academic, poet, and Figiel’s long-time mentor and friend.

Sinavaiana-Gabbard, is remembered as a poet and environmentalist, in 2013 became the first person of Samoan ancestry to reach the rank of full professor at a U.S. university, according to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she taught from 1997 until her retirement in 2016.

The charge followed an incident at Figiel’s Vaivase-uta home, which also served as her theatre space, GaluMoana Theatre. Police say Dr Gabbard’s body was found at the property. Figiel was arrested after allegedly admitting to the killing in a conversation with a friend, who then contacted authorities.

After her arrest, Figiel remained behind bars as the case moved through the court system. At her initial court appearance, she appeared without legal representation and spoke on her own behalf. She was later represented by counsel as the case progressed to trial.

Court proceedings began in August 2025 and included extensive medical testimony about Figiel’s mental health. Evidence presented to the court stated that she was living with a psychotic disorder. The Samoa Observer reported throughout the trial that she showed visible signs of distress, particularly during police forensic evidence describing the scene of Dr Gabbard’s death.

The trial concluded last year, with Figiel awaiting sentencing, which had been scheduled for next month at the time of her death.

Samoan media outlets have stated that Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga had been approached for comment as investigations continue.

Both Caroline Sinavaiana - Gabbard and Sia Figiel were widely recognised for their contribution to Pacific literature and performance, with the tragedy of their deaths hitting the Pasifika arts communities hard in social media postings of the events. 

Police have confirmed inquiries into her death are ongoing, with further information expected to be released in due course.