Rosalyn Albaniel Evara

A full autopsy was conducted on the late journalist’s body yesterday. This was upon the coroner’s court order, says chief pathologist, Dr Seth Fose.

They will now prepare for the report that will be ready in two weeks’ time, while preliminary findings will be released to the coroner’s office at the end of this week.

Dr Fose also stressed that there is a possibility of facing difficulties in a full examination or analysis following the autopsy, considering that the body has already been embalmed.

The story of the late journalist was that of a person who had endured a life of constant physical abuse, as alluded to by her family and colleagues. It was also a story of a woman who lacked the help and support needed until it was too late.

Speaking to this newsroom off camera, a female relative of a survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, said she had felt obligated to come forward and share her sister’s story and seek help when she read the late Evara’s story.

She said her sister has been enduring a life of physical abuse for over 10 years.

Post-Courier business editor Rosalyn Albaniel Evara reportedly passed away on Sunday October 15 after complaining of head pains.

But information and a testimony given by an outraged relative during her funeral service in Port Moresby on Monday, October 23, revealed a pattern of marital abuse inflicted on the 41-year-old mother.

“We welcome a move by police to halt the burial of our colleague and an order seeking a post-mortem be carried out,” says Pacific Freedom Forum Chair, Monica Miller.

The autopsy has been set for tomorrow.

This was confirmed by officer-in-charge of homicide, Ulavis Mantu, this afternoon.

Mantu did not comment further on the reason of the changes. However, he says the post mortem should definitely go through tomorrow.

Todagia Kelola says the reason behind the paper not giving prominence to the late Evara’s story was due to the story angle.

His statement follows widespread criticism by many readers, including the former editor-in-chief of Post-Courier, Alexander Rheeney, who condemned the paper’s front page today.

The body of the late journalist is now at the funeral home, awaiting a post mortem to be conducted after the only relative objecting to the exercise had finally agreed to it.

Around 11pm yesterday (Oct 23), during the late Evara’s wake, her paternal family had demanded that her body be taken back to the funeral home for post mortem to be conducted.

Her body was later taken to the funeral home after directives from the Homicide unit.

This was the message advocated at Rosalyn Albaniel Evara’s funeral at the Reverend Sione Kami Memorial Church in Port Moresby today.

During her tribute, pictures of her badly bruised body, taken a short time after her passing, were publicly displayed.

The shocking revelation of the alleged violence she seemingly endured until her last breath came as a surprise to many who were in attendance.

It was a normal funeral like any other, however nearing the end of the eulogy, a relative wearing a ‘Say no to violence against women’ T-shirt walked up to the podium.

The funeral service of the late business editor of Post-Courier will be held at the Sione Kami Memorial Church, starting at 9:30am today. Her casket will then be brought to the Post-Courier HQ at Konedobu for the staff of PC to bid their farewell.

After Konedobu, she will overnight at Kaubebe, Boroko (PC compound opposite Aku Lodge).

She will then be buried at the Nine-Mile cemetery, outside Port Moresby, the next day.

The sudden passing of the veteran journalist has shocked colleagues in the media industry.