Police have confirmed that a 17-year-old male from Fua’amotu died by suicide on Sunday, 31 August.

In a statement, Police said an investigation into the death remains ongoing. No further details about the circumstances of the death were released.

Last February, Police investigated the death of a 15-year-old girl from Tatakamotonga, while a separate suspected suicide involving a 27-year-old from Fangaloto was reported later that week.

At the time, it was reported that the Fangaloto case was the second suspected suicide death reported within a week.

In May, Police also confirmed that one of two unrelated deaths reported in Nuku’alofa had been determined to be a suicide.

The available reports, however, do not establish whether suicide deaths are increasing or decreasing. No official national figures were provided with the latest Police statement, making it unclear how the number of cases compares with previous years.

The latest death again highlights the need for reliable public information on suicide and youth wellbeing, particularly as the circumstances of individual cases remain subject to Police investigation.