Senior police team investigating Vava'u escape [1]
Thursday, October 13, 2016 - 21:49
No information yet has been released by Tonga Police on how American Dean Jay Fletcher (54) who is charged with his wife's murder escaped a police station in Neiafu, Vava’u last month. A team of Senior Police Officers led by Chief Inspector Meleane Taueli is currently investigating the escape.
"We expect their report to be submitted to the Commissioner’s Office as soon as they complete the investigation and we will be able to advise the media on what took place," a police spokesperson said today.
At the same time, Tonga Police Transnational Crime Unit has contacted American Samoa Police on the alleged phone call made by Fletcher from a prison there to someone in Tonga.
"We are looking into it now because we had only found out the alleged phone call from news articles," she said.
Fletcher escaped custody on September 29 and fled on his yacht 'Sea Oak' after evading recapture in a dramatic five-hour standoff with Tonga Police at sea, NW of Vava'u. He was recaptured in Pago Pago after entering the harbour illegally, where he is detained in custody.
He is accused of murdering his wife Patricia Linne Kearney on July 6 in Neiafu. In the alternative, he also face charges of manslaughter or causing grievous harm, and interference with the course of justice, as well as two counts of escape from lawful custody.