The mother of a baby found alive with the dead bodies of five family members in Fiji says she's relieved that a man known to them has been charged with murder.
Police investigators in the Nausori Highlands following the deaths of five members of the same family. Photo: Facebook/ Fiji Police
A 62-year-old New Zealand resident appeared in the Nadi Magistrates Court yesterday where he was remanded to appear in Lautoka's High Court next Wednesday.
He faced five charges of murder for the deaths of Nirmal Kumar, his wife Usha Devi, their daughter Nileshni Kajal and her two daughters Sanah and Samarah Singh.
Their bodies were found last month near a cliff edge in the Nausori Highlands after they disappeared two days earlier. A distraught baby girl who has come to be known as 'miracle baby' was found close by.
At the weekend, Fiji Police arrested a New Zealand-based man, Muhammad Isoof, who is known to the family and he appeared in court yesterday.
He has been charged with five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in relation to the baby.
Sangeeta Devi says her parents, sister and cousins were caring for her baby, who normally lives with her in Australia, when they died.
Speaking from Fiji where she flew upon news of the deaths, she said seeing the accused man in court was a relief.
"I'm a bit better now. Like you know like my whole family, entire Fiji, the whole crowd, they were there supporting me and my family," she explained.
"That was big relief. And they all wanted justice. So that's great he didn't get the bail. And he's staying in remand. Cause he's just our neighbour and he could be dangerous."
Sangeeta Devi said there was a delay in court proceedings when the accused reported chest pains and was checked by ambulance staff.