The discovery of a fourth body in Fiji, within a short span of weeks has heightened public concern.
Police confirmed a man’s body was discovered near Fletcher Rd in Vatuwaqa, Suva, yesterday.
The grim discovery in the mangroves near the Vatuwaqa bridge was of the body of a man found partially hidden in a swampy area just metres from a busy Suva roadway.
Police say they are still investigating the cause of death of the man, whose identity has yet to be confirmed.
Entrepreneur Merewalesi Seruvatu, who operates a fresh fish kiosk near the bridge, said the discovery was made after youths from a nearby settlement ventured into the mangroves searching for ‘jiji’, a herbal medicine commonly used for children.
“One of the youths saw the body,” Ms Seruvatu told The Fiji Times.
She said the man was found wearing only his boxers.
“I ran straight to the site and the police were then alerted.”
Ms Seruvatu, who has lived and worked in the area for about a year, said this was the first time such an incident had occurred in the area.
She said residents living closer to the mangroves had complained in recent days about a strange smell, but it was dismissed as part of the natural odour of the swamp.
“It seems like the body had been left there for some time.”
Shortly after the discovery, police issued a statement confirming forensic officers were at the scene of an alleged suicide along Fletcher Rd in Vatuwaqa.
“The identity of the male victim is yet to be confirmed,” police said.
When contacted by The Fiji Times, police did not immediately respond to questions regarding the number of missing persons reports lodged since December 2025, how many bodies had been discovered during the same period, or whether there was any link between recent missing persons cases and body discoveries.
“Please allow us time to gather the information as it is for the period of 2025,” police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said in response to questions by The Fiji Times.
Investigations are continuing.
Meanwhile in 2023, the body of a man was found floating in waters in the same area.
