Murdered Chinese couple Gongzhen Lao and Yuegui Wu were finally laid to rest at Kolaridge cemetery on Monday afternoon, two weeks after they were found dead in their LGZ building, Townground, West Honiara.
The dead bodies were embalmed and preserved for the last two weeks at the RAMSI healthy facility (GBR), Henderson, East Honiara.
The deceased couple who are naturalized Solomon Islands citizen were given a Christian funeral with a solemn service held at Holy Cross Cathedral 11am and later buried at Kolaridge in the afternoon.
The funeral service was attended by the grieving members of the Solomon Islands Chinese Association (SICA), business houses, Church leaders, public servants, employees and the public.
Fr Peter Hou delivered a passionate message during the service, which he sprinkled holy water and pray for the safe passage of the couple in their afterlife.
During the ceremony President of Solomon Islands Chinese Association David Quan thanked all those who attended the service and the condolence message being forwarded to the immediate families of the deceased couple.
“I thank you all for the support and show of sympathy with us during this time of sorrow.
“On behalf of the family and Chinese community we really appreciate all those acts and words,” Mr Quan said.
After the funeral service the two coffins draped in white linen clothes were farewelled and later taken to Kolaridge cemetery for burial.
The deceased couple is survived by two children who are studying in Canada.
The boy, 17, is in high school and the girl, 20, is doing her first year in university.
At this moment both are still in Canada and yet to come to pay their respect.
Last week Police Commissioner Matthew Varley said they now have a number of ‘persons of interest’ to follow up in their investigation.
“At this stage, we are combing all of the forensic evidence; we are examining CCTV information and also follow up on a number of lines of inquiry generated by information provided by the public.”
“Our focus at the moment is on the forensic analysis of the CCTV system and the crime scene.
“We completed the forensic analysis of the scene itself, but we always go back over all of the information that was captured from there including the photographs,” Commissioner Varley said.
He further revealed there are new developments on this case every day and investigation flows 24/7.
“We partner with local experts in the police forensic unit and government IT unit for analysis of the digital equipment.
“We are in the process of seeking additional support from our colleagues in Australia in terms of image enhancement and analysis of the footage,” Mr Varley said.
He said this will take time before a possible suspect is identified.
By TEDDY KAFO
