Well-known Samoan author charged with murdering Tulsi Gabbard's aunt

A prominent Samoan author has been charged with murdering the aunt of former Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, according to reports. 

Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, was arrested last week in the Pacific island nation of Samoa after the death of 78-year-old Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, the aunt of former Rep. Gabbard. 

According to Fox News, Sinaviana-Gabbard died after being beaten with a hammer and stabbed multiple times. 

This incident took place May 25 at Figiel’s home in the village of Vaivase-Uta, just a few miles from the capital of Samoa, according to reports. 

Sinaviana-Gabbard was the sister of Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, Tulsi's father. 

She was a retired professor at the University of Hawaii and was an environmental activist. 

Mike Gabbard said in a statement to the press that he hopes the killer is charged "to the full extent of the law."

What led to the incident is unknown at this time, but Sinaviana-Gabbard was reportedly a mentor and friend to Figiel.