Families remember Sydney murder victims as ‘caring and loving’
Seventeen-year-old Joshua Waqavuki speaks after his mother, Anaseini Waqavuki, was killed in western Sydney as two families mourn.
Brothers Joshua Immanuel Waqavuki, 17, and Rupeni Waqavuki, 12, with a photograph of their late mother, Anaseini Waqavuki.
Photo: Ronald Kumar
“My year without mum will start soon,” said 17-year-old Joshua Waqavuki as he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his mother, Anaseini Waqavuki.
Ms Waqavuki, 38, was brutally stabbed to death at her home in Western Sydney, Australia, on Sunday.
As the New Year approaches, Joshua says the reality of life without his mother impacts his future as he waits for his Fiji Year 12 Certificate examination result.
“She has been our support system, providing for everything we need. Now that she is gone our future is bleak,” Joshua said.
The second victim, Epi Naitini, 30, later died in hospital from stab wounds to his hands and stomach.
According to Australian media reports, Mr Naitini was found on a footpath outside the flat with apparent stab wounds, while Ms Waqavuki was found dead on her kitchen floor.
Families and friends of both victims remain in shock and disbelief following the tragic incident, which has turned what should have been a time of celebration into a period of mourning.
Originally from Nakini in Naitasiri, Ms Waqavuki is survived by her three children (ages 17, 14 and 12).
She was the sole breadwinner, supporting not only her children but also family members back home in Fiji and had moved to Australia eight years ago.
While she had not returned since, she remained closely connected with her children through regular video calls and messaging.
Grieving mother, Saini Waqavuki, said she last visited her daughter in September and described her as the backbone of the family.
“She provided for her family every day,” she said.
“She supported not only her children, but the entire household.”
Deceased….Epi Naitini.
Father shares memories
Mr Naitini was originally from Nabudrau, Noco, in Rewa.
His father, Inoke Naitini, said the family learned of his son’s death through his daughter, who lives overseas.
“By the time she called, she was crying uncontrollably,” he said. “That’s when she told us Epi had been murdered.”
Mr Naitini described his son as a ‘caring and responsible family man’, adding that the last contact they had was just days before Christmas.
“The last time we heard from Epi was last Wednesday when he called to say our Christmas money was on the way,” he said.
“He sent $250 for our Christmas.”
Accused charged
Accused Anare Vunitabua, 47, charged with two counts of murder appeared in the NSW Bail Court yesterday.
He handed himself in to police shortly after the alleged killings, according to police reports.
The case will return to Downing Centre Court on February 26.
Addressing media on Sunday, NSW Police Superintendent Jason Joyce said the incident appeared to be domestic violence-related, but police were not sure of the relationships between the victims and their accused killer.
Appeal
Meanwhile, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh has appealed to Fijians living overseas to remain calm and lawful.
“I strongly urge all Fijians living and working abroad to refrain from taking the law into their own hands,” Mr Singh said.
“Violence only leads to irreversible loss and deep pain for families left behind.”
“IT’S TIME I SPOKE OUT!” — Close Friend of Anaseini Waqavuki Breaks Silence to Reveal the Real Truth Behind the Tragedy as Shocking Twists Emerge in Alleged ‘Love Triangle’ Case
In a heartbreaking development that has gripped Australia and the Fijian community worldwide, a close friend of Anaseini Waqavuki has come forward to set the record straight on the double stabbing that claimed her life and that of Epi Naitini in Quakers Hill, Sydney, on December 28, 2025. As initial police reports suggested a “love triangle gone wrong,” friends and family are vehemently pushing back, insisting the tragedy was a brutal act of domestic violence stemming from Waqavuki’s recent breakup with her ex-partner, Anare Vunitabua—the man now charged with both murders.
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dailymail.co.uk
Waqavuki, a 38-year-old devoted mother of three who had moved from Fiji to Australia for a better life, was found dead in the kitchen of her Illabo Street home with multiple stab wounds. Naitini, 30, a visitor from Fiji who was staying with her temporarily, was discovered critically injured on the footpath outside, suffering stab wounds to his stomach and hands. He later died in hospital. Just hours after the attack, Vunitabua, 47, walked into Blacktown Police Station and surrendered, leading to his arrest and charges of two counts of murder.
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Early police statements hinted at a romantic involvement between Waqavuki and Naitini, with Vunitabua as the jealous ex. But now, shocking twists have emerged as loved ones break their silence. Waqavuki’s best friend, Alisi Tuilevu, told media outlets that the initial narrative was “incorrect”—Naitini was simply a platonic friend helping around the house, not a romantic partner. “They were only friends,” Tuilevu emphasized, revealing that Waqavuki had ended her six-year relationship with Vunitabua just two months prior.
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facebook.com
This revelation has been echoed by Naitini’s grieving wife in Fiji, who pleaded for compassion amid swirling rumors. She described the “love triangle” label as deeply painful for her family, confirming that her husband and Waqavuki shared a friendly bond—he was happily married with children back home. On the night before the tragedy, they had been enjoying a casual grog session with friends, and Waqavuki even greeted Naitini’s family via video call. “There was no affair,” sources close to the family insist, reframing the incident as a devastating case of post-separation violence.
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Waqavuki’s niece, Georgina Bulewa, has also spoken out, launching a GoFundMe to bring Waqavuki’s children from Fiji to Australia for her funeral. “Anaseini has left behind her children in Fiji, who are now facing life without their mother,” she wrote, describing her aunt as a “loving… whose kindness and gentle spirit touched everyone.” Family members portray Waqavuki as a selfless care worker who sacrificed everything for her kids, sending money home while building a new life in Sydney.
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facebook.com
The Fijian community in Australia and back home is in profound mourning, with tributes flooding social media and calls for greater awareness of domestic violence in migrant groups. Vigils and messages highlight the victims’ warmth—Waqavuki as a joyful, laughing presence in her neighborhood, and Naitini as a loyal friend. Neighbors, still haunted by the 4:30 AM screams that shattered the suburb’s peace, describe a “normal, happy family” blindsided by horror.
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facebook.com
Vunitabua, who appeared in court shortly after his arrest, has been denied bail and remains in custody as investigations continue. A knife was reportedly recovered from a nearby service station, linking additional crime scenes. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing the case’s domestic violence underpinnings.
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As the new year begins, this tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by women leaving abusive relationships. Friends like Alisi Tuilevu, by speaking out, hope to honor Waqavuki’s memory and ensure the truth prevails over sensational headlines. “It’s time the real story was told,” one source close to the family said. For two families torn apart, and communities united in grief, healing will be a long road—but the insistence on facts over fiction is a powerful start.
The outpouring of support underscores the victims’ legacies: lives full of love, friendship, and resilience, cut short in an act of unimaginable violence. Australia watches as justice unfolds, with calls growing louder for prevention and protection in cases of domestic abuse.
