By Vicky Baunke in Goroka, EHP
Eastern Highlands Police have confirmed the arrest of two people in relation to the alleged murder of Samantha Peri.
Acting Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Senior Inspector Josephine Kumai said that investigators are continuing to gather evidence into the circumstances surrounding Samantha’s death.
“The pictures on social media were put up by family and not from the police. There are two suspects in the cell but not the boyfriend,” Kumai said.
She clarified that the man believed to be Samantha’s boyfriend is not among those detained. Police are continuing efforts to establish his whereabouts and determine his involvement.
“Police are continuing efforts to establish the whereabouts of the deceased boyfriend and determine his involvement, she said.
The incident was reported to Okapa police on Saturday (4th of July, 2026) where Okapa police and now the two suspects in police custody will help the investigation.
Senior Inspector Kumai also clarified that photographs of Samantha and the man being sought by police, which have been widely circulated on social media, were not released by police, but were shared by members of Samantha’s family.
She urged the public to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time and allow police investigators to carry out their work without interference.
According to the police incident brief, Samantha had travelled to Okapa in a white taxi accompanied by three male companions before the incident allegedly occurred between 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. at Tarabo village in West Okapa Local Level Government.
Police allege the vehicle stopped along the roadside where Samantha was forcibly removed before she was fatally attacked.
Investigators further alleged that a Grade 10 student travelling in the same vehicle was threatened at gunpoint by two of the men before Samantha was taken away. The taxi was later recovered near the Gimi–Okapa Junction, while the student is assisting police with ongoing investigations.
Samantha’s body was recovered on Sunday, 5 July, and transported by Okapa Police to the Goroka Provincial Hospital, where she was formally identified by her family.
Samantha was the eldest daughter of the late Koiya Peri, a respected lawyer from Kotna Village in Dei District, Western Highlands Province, and Lillian Peri from Watabung in Daulo District, Eastern Highlands Province and of New Zealand descent. The family resides at Rotary Park in Goroka.
Senior Inspector Kumai appealed to anyone with information that may assist investigators or help locate the outstanding person of interest to come forward and report it to the nearest police station.
“We extend our sincere condolences to Samantha’s family during this very difficult time. Police are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring those responsible are brought before the courts to face justice,” she said.
