Thursday, 7 December 2023 - 11:36am |
Counties Manukau

Trio convicted over Meliame Fisi'ihoi's murder

1 min read

Police acknowledge the guilty verdicts handed down in the homicide investigation into Meliame Fisi'ihoi¡¯s death.

Mrs Fisi¡¯ihoi was callously murdered in her M¨¡ngere home on the night of 15 January 2020 when she answered a knock at her window.

Yesterday, Viliami Iongi, 24, and Falala Iongi, 31, were found guilty of her murder.

Both were also found guilty of reckless discharge of a firearm, as well as wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a separate incident in December 2019.

Manu Iongi, 22, was also found guilty of the manslaughter of Mrs Fisi'ihoi.

Detective Inspector Tofilau Fa¡¯amanuia Va¡¯aelua, of Counties Manukau Police, says the Operation Truro team worked tirelessly to put those responsible before the court, with arrests only made in April 2021 some 15 months later.

¡°It is pleasing to see verdicts handed down after a day of deliberations on the case,¡± he says.

¡°I would like to thank the community, particularly Calthorp Close residents, who assisted Police throughout our investigation and provided information to us.

¡°Their cooperation during the various area canvasses is greatly appreciated.¡±

Sentencing will be held in February 2024.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/51½ÖÉä

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