Police: Tulsi Gabbard’s aunt, a well-known Samoan poet, is said to have been killed by fellow writer in a violent argument

“We miss her, cherish the happy memories we shared together, and keep her in our prayers,” the former congresswoman tells PEOPLE about her aunt Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard. “Hold the people you love close”

Police say former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s aunt, Caroline “Sina” Sinavaiana-Gabbard, was killed last month after an alleged argument with her protégé Papalii Sia Figiel.

The Daily Beast reports that Sinavaiana-Gabbard was found dead in Figiel’s GaluMoana Theater in the Vaivase-uta region of Samoa on May 25. The writer, celebrated poet, professor and environmentalist was 78 years old.

According to police, Sinavaiana-Gabbard was stabbed multiple times and beaten with a hammer by 57-year-old Figiel. Spectrum News quoted police as saying that Figiel hid at a friend’s house after their alleged argument and was subsequently arrested there. A possible motive for the murder is being investigated, according to Hawaii News Now.

Figiel was originally charged with manslaughter, but after an investigation the charge was upgraded to murder, Samoa Police Chief Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said during a news conference. Figiel is due to appear in court on June 10.

Tulsi, 43, tells PEOPLE in an email that her aunt Caroline was her father’s only sister and “the only relative of ours who lived in Hawaii when I was growing up.”

“I spent a lot of time with her as a child in her cottage in the back of Manoa Valley. She often read me her poems and encouraged me to write myself,” Tulsi said. Sinavaiana-Gabbard published Alchemy of Distancea collection of poems, in 2002.

She continued, “The news of this terrible tragedy has devastated our family. We miss them, cherish the happy memories we shared and are praying for them. Life is short. Hold the people you love close and make the most of each day we are blessed with life.”

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Sinavaiana-Gabbard, a former professor at the University of Hawaii, was the older sister of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard and Tulsi’s father. She was the first scholar of Samoan descent to receive a professorship at an American university.

She holds degrees from Sonoma State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Hawaii.

“Caroline was my best friend growing up,” Mike, 76, said in a statement to Spectrum News. “I love her deeply and wish her the best in her future endeavors. While I sincerely forgive the killer of this gruesome crime, I hope that justice is served and this individual is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

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