Police charge woman who alleged PM’s involvement in Dr. Gabbards death

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 21 March 2025 – The woman who made serious allegations that she was instructed by the Prime Minister to remove evidence from the crime scene of Dr Caroline Gabbards murder in June 2024, was charged by police yesterday.

Lise Marie Schmidt, who claims to have had close relations with the Prime Minister, has been charged with conspiring to defeat the course of justice and providing false information to mislead the Police.

In a public statement posted on the Police and Prisons facebook page, police said that Lise’s allegations “against Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa’s involvement in the death of Dr. Caroline Gabbard are false and unfounded.”

The matter became public when Lise reported the matter to the Attorney General and Police in a letter dated and received by both law enforcement offices on 3 March 2025. A copy of her letter has been widely circulated and she also sought protection for her personal safety.

Having had no response, Lise wrote a follow up letter to the Police dated 14 March 2025.

She claimed to have picked up a mobile phone, a tablet, a black band watch in a black bag allegedly belongings of the late Dr. Gabbard.

In its statement, Police said the letter contained serious allegations which prompted an investigation.

“The investigation determined that the claims were false and misleading, with no sufficient evidence to substantiate the claims and as a result, Lise Marie Schmidt has been charged with conspiring to defeat the course of justice and providing false information to mislead the Police,” states the police release.

Police also said that Lise Schmidt is on bail on condition that she surrender all her travel documents and sign at the Faleata Police Outpost every Friday.

She is also ordered to refrain from any further offences until her first appearance in court next month.

She also has a separate case pending for hearing in May.