Two murder cases reported in one week in Simbu

Two individuals a male and a female have been charged separately with willful murder and are currently in police custody in Kundiawa, awaiting their court appearances.

Simbu Provincial Police Commander [PPC], Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang, told NBC News that the first incident occurred on Friday. Willie Yauwe, 30, from Laya village in the Siane LLG of Chuave, allegedly stabbed his cousin, Oscar Joseph, 21, with a rambo-style razor knife, fatally wounding him in the chest.

Superintendent Rubiang said the altercation stemmed from an argument over a missing K5 note in their home. The dispute escalated, resulting in the fatal stabbing.

The Criminal Investigation Division [CID] in Kundiawa, upon receiving reports of the incident, immediately proceeded to the crime scene in Hevere village. Yauwe later surrendered to Detective Constable Inam Robert in the presence of community members, CID officers, and local Chuave police.

“The suspect was transported to Kundiawa Police Station and was charged formally under 299, Criminal Code Act and detained in the cell block awaiting his court appearance,” Rubiang said.

In a separate incident, 28-year-old Anne Atano, also from Waiya village in Siane LLG, Chuave, was charged with the willful murder of her husband’s second wife, Ambai Atano, 24.

According to the police report, the victim was picking Anne’s coffee when a confrontation broke out between the two women. During the argument, Anne allegedly stabbed Ambai with a kitchen knife near the ribs. The victim reportedly died within an hour due to excessive blood loss.

PPC Rubiang confirmed that Constable Medina Morisa, the investigating officer with Kundiawa police, traveled to the crime scene and took the suspect into custody from her husband and family.

Anne Atano has been formally charged with murder and is awaiting her first court appearance.