Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Mr Collin's aunty Julia Collins said his local family at Leufisa, near the capital of Apia, learnt of the tragic event while watching the news.
"We had just finished our evening prayer when we turned on the television and that was the first thing on the bulletin.
"The sad thing about his death - he was too young. Not only that, he has died so far away from his family. I still cannot believe that he's gone."
Ms Collins told the paper that although Mr Collins was not fluent in Samoan, he would always try to speak to his mother in her native language.
He wasn't fluent (in Samoan) but that didn't mean he won't speak Samoan, he still did," she told the Samoa Observer.
"You hardly hear Jerry speak English when he is here. He will only speak English if he doesn't know a Samoan word for something."
She also said that Mr Collins was due to return to Samoa later this month.
"He had planned to bring his daughter to where he grew up. All our children were looking forward to those gatherings but it's unfortunately that we won't be celebrating. Instead we will be attending two funerals."
Mr Collins was born in Moto'otua, and then raised in Leufisa, before leaving for New Zealand with his family before he turned 2-years-old, the Samoa Observer reported.
"Since then, his heart has always been close to home where he grew up," Ms Collins said.
"All our children are close and Jerry had always come back home before he returns to his contract."
Mr Collin's mother was in Samoa with two of his sisters for a wedding when she learned news of his death.
They had since planned to return to Wellington, where Mr Collins grew up, to be with family.
