Cause of inmate's death not confirmed [1]
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 10:21. Updated on Sunday, June 1, 2014 - 14:35.
The cause of death of a 32-year-old male inmate in Hu'atolitoli Prison on June 7 has yet to be confirmed, but police today ruled out any suspicion of a crime.
Police Commander Chris Kelley in his weekly Crime Report ono June 23 said that the official cause the inmate's death had not been released as the coroner's inquest was conducted only the previous day. The only confirmation was that there is no suspicion of any crime.
Suicides
Last week there was a confirmed suicide death of a 27- year-old male at Ma'ufanga, bringing the of suicides in Tonga to seven from January to June, a slight increase from the six suicidal deaths confirmed last year.
"There is an increase in the suicide incidences and although it is not that high, it is still not good."
Commander Kelley said suicidal deaths have often resulted from the person's state of mind and relationship issues.
"Although the police do not have any public awareness program in relation to suicide we strongly support the organisations that do," he said.
Surge of criminal offences
At the same time Police Inspector Sione Talanoa reported that 109 criminal offences were reported to them last week from June 15-21.
This is a substantial increase from 45 criminal offences reported the previous week.
The majority of the crimes reported were theft with 45 complaints, a big jump from 19 theft cases reported the previous week. The crime of housebreaking came in second with 24 complaints being an increase from eight cases reported the previous week.
No deaths or suicide cases were reported to the police last week.