Canadian woman buried in Vava’u, husband in custody [1]
Friday, August 5, 2016 - 17:40
The 56-year-old Canadian woman who was found dead in a yacht in Vava’u last month was buried at 'Ahomatafolau Cemetery in Neiafu on Friday, 29 July after a post mortem examination was completed in Nuku'alofa.
The woman's name has not been released, but Police said today that she was buried in Neiafu attended by her family who came from Canada, following last week's post-mortem examination at Vaiola Hospital to determine the cause of death.
"We are still waiting on the post-mortem report from the doctor. But it was her family’s wish for her body to be returned from Nuku'alofa and buried in Neiafu," said a police spokesperson.
In the meantime, her 54-year-old husband, a U.S citizen, has been charged with manslaughter and remains in police custody in Neiafu. He appeared in chambers at the Magistrate’s Court last week and had his case adjourned to 11 August to re-appear.
Death on yacht
On 7 July, police received a report from the accused husband that he had found his wife dead on board their yacht 'Sea Oak'.
Police arrested and charged him with manslaughter a few days later.
The couple who arrived in Vava’u on their yacht on 26 May docked at the Puatalefusi Harbour. They had visas to stay in Tonga unti this month.