Fiji Sun

Australian national allegedly murdered, husband in hospital

Death leaves residents in shock. Police were on guard last night after they cordoned off the couple’s home.

- AVINESH GOPAL Edited by Susana Tuilau

Aresidenti­al area in Suva, housing mostly expatriate­s, was in a state of shock last night after the alleged murder of a woman.

The woman was identified as Jennifer Downes who worked for an internatio­nal organisati­on in Suva.

Her husband, who was identified as Henry Lusaka John was taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and his condition was not known last night.

Mr John, who is originally from Congo but an Australian citizen, also works for an internatio­nal organisati­on in Suva.

The victim was also an Australian national. According to a Police officer familiar with the investigat­ions, there were no visible injuries on the deceased.

The officer said Mr John’s workmates went to the couple’s home at Service Street in Domain after 1pm yesterday when they discovered his wife dead and him in a serious condition.

It was then that Police were informed about the incident.

Police officers arrived at the scene and after conducting investigat­ions, they removed the victim’s body a few hours later.

The house in which the couple lived in was cordoned off by Police and officers were on guard there last night.

Several people, mostly foreigners, had gathered outside the house yesterday afternoon as Police conducted investigat­ions.

According to reports, the couple have three children but their whereabout­s was not known to the Fiji Sun last night.

It is understood that the Australian High Commission in Suva has been informed about the incident and they will inform the victim’s family in Australia.

Police spokespers­on Ana Naisoro said Police were treating the case as an alleged murder. Ms Naisoro was not in a position last night to reveal much details on the incident or on the condition of the victim’s husband in hospital. However, she confirmed that the victim and her husband were foreign nationals working for different internatio­nal organisati­ons in Fiji.

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 ?? Photo: Ronald Kumar ?? Police officers carry the woman’s body from the couple’s residence at Service Street, Suva on July 23, 2019.
Photo: Ronald Kumar Police officers carry the woman’s body from the couple’s residence at Service Street, Suva on July 23, 2019.

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