By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE New Year church service prematurely ended and the congregation fled when a fellow worshipper was stabbed by her former husband in Milne Bay province on Tuesday, Milne Bay police commander Chief Supt Joe Poma said yesterday.
The mother of three had her stomach ripped open just outside the church building in full view of her shocked fellow church members and villagers at Divinai village at about 10pm about 35km from Alotau.
She had gone out to use the toilet while the service was in progress to celebrate and welcome the New Year.
The service was part of the church’s programme to welcome the New Year.
“When returning back to the service, her husband, allegedly intoxicated with marijuana and homebrew, called her over to him when he saw her.
“She then went to him thinking that he wanted to say something to her.
“Instead he grabbed her, covered her mouth with his hand and with his other hand, took out a knife and ripped open her stomach,” a church member said.
This horrific killing was prompted everyone to flee in all directions.
However, a former PNG Defence Force naval officer Col Bernard Williams responded and rushed her in his PMV to the Alotau General Hospital.
Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Mr Poma said police then went to the village after receiving a report and arrested the former husband and detained him.
“This is the only incident that took place during the festive season, otherwise it was peaceful here,” he said.