ANSWERS WANTED IN STUDENT’S DEATH

• Family demands to know what happened • Akuila Salavuki was to be the first in family to graduate with degree

Fiji National University student Akuila Salavuki was destined to BE tHE first in his family to

graduate with a degree.

But last night the aunt who raised him, Lanieta Ranavono, 49, was demanding answers as they mourned his tragic and untimely death.

Mr Salavuki, 23, who lived at Tacirua, but was originally from Namuavoivoi, Bua, Vanua Levu, was found dead on the foreshore of Suva’s waterfront last Thursday. But he was only identified on Monday before the family was notified.

The Bachelor of Commerce student had suffered severe brain haemorrhage caused by a blunt force trauma head assault, a post mortem result showed.

Mrs Ranavono said she and his other aunties raised him after his family broke up. Mr Salavuki and two of his siblings were raised by the aunties and grandmother Mere Sanaroqo.

His mother died last month so this was a double blow to the family.

Mrs Ranavono said he wanted to do commerce first so that he could get a job to pay for his law studies. “We cannot believe he is dead. We are not at peace. We want answers. What happened before his death?” she said.

Mrs Sanaroqo, 54, whom Mr Salavuki fondly called “Na” or mummy, said he carried the hope of the whole family because he would be the first to obtain a university degree. He was due to graduate next year after which he was intending to do law.

“His death has come as shock to all of us,” she said. Police are investigating.

Photo: Ashna Kumar Akuila Salavuki’s aunt Lanieta Ranavono (left), and grandmother Mere Sanaroqo weep at Tacirua on May 22, 2018 over his untimely death.

The late Akuila Salavuki.