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Prominent transgender doctor's alleged murder sparks fear in Fiji's LGBTQIA+ community
Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist
Fiji's LGBTQIA+ community claims the death of a prominent transgender doctor has created fear and insecurity among its people.
A 32-year-old man has been charged with the alleged murder of Dr Isireli Biumaitotoya, who was also known as Leighley Leli Darling.
The man was arrested on Saturday and appeared in the Nadi Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
He has been remanded in custody and the matter transferred to the Lautoka High Court, and adjourned to 24 September for mention.
The police said a second person who was arrested was questioned and released.
Dr Buimaitotoya, a general practitioner, was found with multiple injuries in a pool of blood at their home in Votualevu, a short 5-minute drive from Nadi International Airport, on 1 September.
Dr Biumaitotoya was a popular media personality with a following of 71,000 on Facebook, where they are described as "a bird of paradise, bright, colourful, pleaseant, regal and beautiful."
The doctor was also a TikTok influencer with 14,200 followers.
The Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN) took to Facebook last week to say some online-commentary following the death had created Pacific-wide fear and insecurity for many in the community.
A post-mortem of the doctor was carried out on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka wrote on Facebook last week that he was "deeply saddened" by the "tragic situation".
The victim's mother Merana Bawa told local media that Dr Biumaitotoya was a kind-hearted person who helped and cared for others.
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