Tulsi Gabbard breaks her silence in emotional post on her aunt's 'horrific death' after 78-year-old was brutally murdered with a hammer by 'friend she mentored'

Tulsi Gabbard has broken her silence on the brutal murder of her aunt who was killed in Samoa last week. 

Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, 78, was found dead at the home of prominent Samoan author and playwright Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, on the Pacific Island.

Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said Sinaviana-Gabbard was killed last Saturday. 

Papalii Sa Figiel has since turned herself into police. 

The pair, who were close friends, got into an argument at the home in the village of Vaivase-Uta – about a 10-minute drive from the Samoan capital Apia - though it's unclear what they were arguing about. 

In a post on X on Tuesday night, Gabbard - who has been tipped as a potential running mate for Donald Trump - said: 'Thank you to all who have taken the time to send me warm messages of prayers and condolences in the wake of my aunt’s tragic murder in Samoa.' 

'I’m so grateful to be surrounded by your love and prayers. My aunt Caroline was my dad’s only sister, and the only relative of ours who lived in Hawaii when I was growing up. 

'I spent a lot of time with her as a kid at her cottage in the back of Manoa valley where she often shared her poetry with me, and encouraged me to pursue my own writing. 

'The news of her horrific death sent shockwaves through our family. We miss her, cherish the happy memories we shared, and are keeping her in our prayers. 

'Life is short. Hold close the ones you love, and make the most of every day we are blessed with life.'

While it is not currently known what sparked the fight, Figiel allegedly used a knife and a hammer to kill her mentor - both of which were found at the scene.

Figiel then allegedly left the body lying in her house and driven about an hour to a friend's home in the village of Lotofaga and spent the night.

'It wasn't until Sunday morning while they were having breakfast that [Figiel] told her friend what had happened,' Auapaau said.

Figiel soon after turned herself in to police in Apia and was arrested and charged with manslaughter, which was upgraded to murder after more evidence was found.

Sinaviana-Gabbard was herself a renowned author and poet, whose debut novel Where We Once Belonged was a bestseller.

She taught Pacific literature at the University of Hawaii for more than 20 years and was the first Samoan to become a full professor in the US.

After her retirement, Sinaviana-Gabbard returned to her native Samoa.

Her brother, Tulsi Gabbard's father Mike Gabbard, is a state senator for Hawaii and mourned the death of his 'best friend'.

'She helped me considerably during my rebellious stage of adolescence. She got me hooked on reading,' he told Spectrum News.

'I love her deeply and wish her well as she continues her journey.'

Senator Gabbard said he hoped his sister's killer 'will be punished to the full extent of the law'.