The Fiji Police Force has announced significant progress in six of its nineteen active cold case investigations, with one high-profile case officially closed.
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu provided the update during a press conference today, detailing the status of several long-standing and complex investigations.
“Of the 19 files that are being handled by the cold case team, we have made some progress on six files,” Commissioner Tudravu stated.
A major development is the closure of the alleged murder-suicide of a couple in Nasau on September 25, 2023. The investigation has definitively ruled out foul play.
In other updates, two cases have been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for legal advice. These include the alleged murder of Josefa Tikoitoga in Ra in 1993, and a 2013 case in Nadroga where a man allegedly killed his wife and daughter before setting their home alight and fleeing overseas.
“Investigations conducted with close associates of the suspect have indicated that the suspect is overseas,” the Commissioner noted.
A further three complex files are currently in the consultation phase with the ODPP. These involve an alleged murder between Mana Island and Malolo in 2020 and the historic disappearance of a Russian couple in the 1990s.
Mr Tudravu said one file has been closed, two are awaiting DPP advice, and three remain under active consultation as the Cold Case Team continues its work.
