Favona homicide investigation: police release new information related to the death of Meliame Fisi’ihoi

It has been almost 12 months since a South Auckland grandmother was shot and killed in her home, and the police have yet to bring her killer to justice.

Meliame Fisi’ihoi, 57, would have celebrated her birthday in June and would have spent another year adoring her grandchildren, one born just a month after she was shot and killed in Calthorp Close, in Favona, on January 15.

Now, a community leader has criticized the time it took to catch the murderer of the innocent woman; saying that if it had happened in a more affluent suburb, there would have already been an arrest.

“It’s really worrying how long this is taking. I thought if it was in a non-brown suburb, I’m sure they would have figured it out by now,” said Will ‘Ilolahia, co-founder of Polynesian Panther.

The police have vigorously rejected the criticism, saying the reality is that investigations are not always resolved overnight.

“Investigations, like this one, can be complex and involve a significant amount of investigation and work to be done,” said Detective Sergeant Major Karen Bright:

“We have a team of detectives who have been working very hard on this investigation and are dedicated and committed to holding those responsible to account.”

Police have released new CCTV footage and images of a car described as “a vehicle of interest” for the investigation.

Images of the blurry black BMW 320i (2005-2009 model) sedan captured minutes after the shooting were released publicly in October.

Fisi’ihoi was watching TV in the living room when she got up to check on a noise she heard outside. He was shot through a window near the front door around 2.45 am.

It is understood that his murder was a case of mistaken identity.

The new information shows more images of where the car went after speeding down Favona Rd, James Fletcher Drive, an intersection with Savill Drive, in Māngere, before heading east towards Ōtāhuhu.

Since then, the police have been able to track where he has gone after that, going from Kaka St to Walmsley Rd.

Police track a vehicle of interest through various suburbs.

He is then seen “traveling at high speed” through Ōtāhuhu, where he passes several vehicles, before heading south on Great South Rd.

The car travels down Bairds Rd afterwards, before continuing towards Otara before approaching the intersection of East Tāmaki Rd.

The vehicle is not seen again until 12 minutes later, when it is seen again in CCTV footage, this time going south on Dawson Rd, towards Te Irirangi Drive, before heading east on Donegal Park Drive, Flat Bush.

“Police are confident that there are people who will recognize this vehicle and know who the occupants were that night,” said Manukau County Police Sergeant Major Karen Bright.

“We are approaching 12 months since the senseless death of Ms. Fisi’ihoi and the police (are) committed to holding those responsible to account.”

‘It hasn’t been easy for my family’

Fisi’ihoi was a highly respected member of the local Tonga community and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She was the mother of seven children, three grandchildren, and a loving wife.

Son Manu Fisi’ihoi, who publicly called for help finding his mother’s killer on Police Ten 7 earlier this year, has joined others in calling for justice for his mother using a hashtag on social media: # JusticeForMeliame.

In a Facebook post in October, after images of the vehicle involved were released, he wrote: “Nine months. We want justice! It has not been easy for me and my family, but we have stood our ground and continue to do so.

“To my family and friends who have continued to support us and have been a strength for us, thank you.”

Killer concerned community leader has yet to be brought to justice

Meanwhile, Polynesian Panther co-founder and South Auckland Tongan community leader Will ‘Ilolahia acknowledged that while the update was a positive step, he said that people in the community had begun to question why the investigation was delaying. so much.

“I am concerned that the murderer is still at large after so long.”

‘Ilolahia said that conversations about Fisi’ihoi’s assassination had slowed in recent months, but it was something that was still in the back of everyone’s mind.

He made a direct appeal to the person or persons involved in the murder of Fisi’ihoi: to think of their own mothers.

“That person also has a mother, and for that alone, she should give up.”

The Weekend Herald reported that 355 people had been shot in Auckland in the past five years amid a worsening of gun violence linked to gang turf wars, illicit drugs and the insidious cancer of organized crime.

More than half of the injured were treated at Middlemore Hospital when the violence in South Auckland spilled into bloodshed.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has written to the Police Minister about the increasing use of firearms and will be meeting with Deputy Commissioner of Police John Tims this week to discuss how to address the series of shootings and the toxic impact of gangs. .

Can you help? Anyone with information related to the Meliame Fisi’ihoi shooting should contact the police on 105 or anonymously at CrimeStoppers: 0800 555 111