Thirty police investigating Fiji double murder

11.45 am

Post mortem examinations will be conducted today on the bodies of Fiji Red Cross director John Scott and his partner, Gregory Scrivener, who were murdered yesterday at their home in Suva.

Fiji is reported to be in shock after the brutal killing of Mr Scott, aged 53, and Mr Scrivener, a 39-year-old originally from Tauranga.

The couple's houseboy discovered the men dead in the bedroom of their home shortly after 6.30 am yesterday.

Assistant police commissioner Moses Driver said 30 police are on the case and are talking to several people.

They had notified Mr Scrivener's mother in Tauranga and his sister, Judy Alvos, also of Tauranga.

New Zealand's High Commissioner in Suva, Adrian Simcock, said Mr Scott, who played a key role in delivering aid to hostages in last year's armed coup, was well-regarded throughout the country.

"There's a feeling of numbness that this has occurred.

"Everybody who knew him is absolutely shattered by this news," Mr Simcock said today.

Police are interviewing two people in connection with the deaths, including the houseboy who found the bodies. He is not believed to be a suspect.

Bloody footprints were found outside the house, and a cane knife believed to have been used in the killings has been found.

Police Commissioner Isikia Savua said the men had wounds to their faces and necks.

Mr Simcock said both men were Fiji citizens, although Mr Scott was educated in New Zealand and had a son living here.

Police have not ruled out the killings being linked to a domestic dispute.

Mr Scott became a well-known figure in Fiji during last year's coup, in which George Speight ousted prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry and held him and other members of parliament for eight weeks.

Immediately after the coup, Mr Scott was the first person allowed to see the hostages and he was later afforded twice daily visits.

He and his staff took food, clothes, medical aid and letters from relatives to the hostages. They were the only people able to see the hostages, who were kept under armed guard and in darkness for the 56 days.

Mr Scott seldom spoke about the visits, to ensure access was retained, and ensured the Red Cross remained neutral and was not involved in any negotiations to end the crisis.

When Speight decided to release hostages, he telephoned Mr Scott.

When Speight and some supporters were arrested, Mr Scott also delivered help to them.

Two days before he died, Mr Scott had helped host a Red Cross fundraising ball at the Fiji military headquarters, the Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

Mr Simcock said Mr Scott's high profile as a result of the coup meant the country was in mourning today.

"It is absolutely shocking."

Foreign Minister Phil Goff said from Vanuatu yesterday that Mr Scott's visits had been a "lifeline" for the hostages and without his visits life would have been extremely grim for them.

The Fiji Times newspaper last year said the nation owed a debt of gratitude to Mr Scott.

An editorial in the newspaper said the visits ensured the continued safety of Mr Chaudhry and the others, while lessening the psychological impact of incarceration.

A Fiji police spokeswoman said post mortem examinations would be conducted today.

She said the men had multiple cuts to their heads and hands.

Police were continuing to question witnesses but have said they are not speaking to any foreigners, as was reported yesterday.

The spokeswoman said the houseboy, who found the bodies, and other witnesses did not see anyone at the house but Mr Savua believed it was clear there was a third person involved.

She said Fiji police would release more information after the post mortems.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Feature: the Fiji coup

Full text plus audio:
Court of Appeal upholds constitution

Full text: