An Australian mother and her young son have been brutally murdered in their home on the Pacific island of Kiribati.
Sarah Moses, a bureaucrat from Hobart, Tasmania, and her three-year-old son Jack were found stabbed to death in their home in the central Pacific on Saturday in what police believe is a domestic violence incident.
A man, believed to be an extended family member of Ms Moses, has been arrested over the incident.
Sarah Moses (pictured left), a bureaucrat from Hobart, and her three-year-old son Jack (right) were found dead in their home in Kiribati on Saturday
Kiribati Police say the stabbing occurred between 5am and 6am on Saturday in Batio, the largest area in South Tarawa, the capital of Kiribati.
The 46-year-old had been working as a public servant her entire life and moved to the country, home to just 110,000 people, to be the director of the Kiribati Institute of Technology. The organisation is funded by foreign aid programs in Australia.
She had worked for the government in her home state of Tasmania and the Commonwealth Department of Finance.
Mrs Moses, previously named Sarah Goodwin, married Nauruan man Bryce Moses in 2013.
He posted an image of his wife and son on Saturday, with people commenting to express their sympathy.
‘May God Almighty blessed and showers you with his love in his Kingdom RIP Sarah n Jack,’ one person said.
‘#RestInLoveSarahandJack Stay strong Taina, much love to you bro,’ another posted.
Mrs Moses married Nauruan man Bryce Moses (pictured right) in 2013. He posted an image of his wife and son on Saturday
Ms Moses was remembered at a funeral in the tiny nation, located north-west of Fiji, on Tuesday. Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and Australia’s high commisioner Bruce Cowled attended, alongside several other ministers.
Tasmania Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jenny Gale said the news was ‘shocking’.
‘She was a much loved and respected colleague,’ Ms Gale said. ‘This will come as shocking news to many in our community and our thoughts are with her family and friends.’