Police investigations into the recent surge in missing person cases have not revealed any connections to the troubling discoveries of deceased individuals, alleviating concerns about potential criminal or drug activity. At a press conference today, Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu addressed these public worries, highlighting recent reports of several young people found dead in a state of partial decomposition.
Tudravu noted that initial post-mortem examinations have shown no signs of drugs in the victims’ systems, nor evidence indicating involvement in any criminal activities. “There’s no link at this point in time. Should there be a link based on the post-mortem and the report that is given, then we will confirm that,” he stated.
Despite the reassurances, Tudravu admitted that the police face significant hurdles in resolving missing person cases, primarily stemming from delays in reporting or instances where disappearances go unreported. He remarked, “Not all missing persons are reported to us initially. This is a challenge we are facing within the Fiji Police Force, especially as we do not have dedicated teams to deal with missing persons all the time.”
Tudravu emphasized the critical importance of timely reporting and urged families and relatives to inform the police as soon as someone goes missing. In a related appeal, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe called upon families, communities, and traditional leadership to be more vigilant in monitoring the safety and locations of young individuals.
The Fiji Police Force remains committed to transparency and has vowed to keep the public informed of any developments or findings that may arise from ongoing investigations. This proactive approach aims to ensure a safer community for everyone.