Tragic death of Fijian transgender doctor sparks calls for justice and end to transphobia

An investigation into the death of a transgender doctor and social media personality from Fiji is now being treated as a possible murder, police have confirmed.

Police say Dr Isireli Biumaitotoya, who was also known as Leighley Leli Darling, was found unresponsive in his home in Votualevu, Nadi, on Monday evening.

An employee at Biumaitotoya's medical practice contacted the police after he did not show up for work that morning.

Angylene Chandra, who has worked as his receptionist for more than 20 years, told The Fiji Times that she felt "something was wrong" when he didn't answer their calls.

Biumaitotoya, a well-known member of the LGBTQI+ community in Fiji, had visible injuries when he was found.

A post-mortem examination is being conducted to determine the cause of death, and efforts are ongoing to find his car.

Watch Angylene Chandra's interview with The Fiji Times below.

Social media has been flooded with tributes for Biumaitotoya, and his death has sparked a lot of discussions online, most of which have been criticised by officials and human rights advocates.

Loata Tucika, the Interim Chief Executive of the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network (PSGDN), expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Biumaitotoya, calling for an end to transphobia and emphasising the need for protection and justice for all members of the LGBTQI+ community.

In a statement, Tucika says, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Dr Leighley Leli Darling, a transwoman and a beloved member of our Pacific LGBTQI+ community.

Loata Tucika says there is an urgent need for protection, support, and justice for the LGBTQI+ community in the region. Photo/PSGDN

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr Leli’s family, friends, and all those who loved her.

"Dr Leli lived her life openly and unapologetically, sharing her journey with courage and truth. Her passing is a painful reminder of the urgent need to end transphobia, protect our communities, and ensure justice and equality for all."

Tucika says the PSGDN strongly condemns the hate, violence, and dehumanisation directed towards members of the LGBTQI+ community.

She says it's important to respect and support this community, saying the online discussions surrounding Biumaitotoya's passing have, at times, disrespected his memory and added to the trauma for other LGBTQI+ members.

"No one should feel unsafe or denied dignity because of who they are or how they live their lives.

"PSGDN urges everyone, especially the mainstream media and social media users, to respect Dr Leli’s family during this difficult time, refrain from harmful speculation, and remember that words online can deepen trauma for families and communities."

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says: "It is unchristian to go into violent reactions against somebody who differs from you." Photo/File

Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also shared his condolences in a post on social media: "I am deeply saddened by the untimely passing of the late Dr Isireli Biumaitotoya, a well-known Nadi-based medical doctor and social media influencer.

"When I was asked by the media this afternoon [Tuesday] about the circumstances surrounding his death, I stressed that it is unchristian to go into violent reactions against somebody who differs from you.

"I believe all the other religions share the same values. You don’t go and offend or look down on someone who differs from you, whether in sexual orientation, physical condition or whatever reason, for that matter. To do so would be very unkind.

"This tragic situation is just very sad. I recall attending a Human Rights Conference at Pacific Harbour with Dr Isireli. While a lot of people were uncomfortable with him, he made meaningful contributions to the discussions."

Dr Isireli Biumaitotoya. Photo/Facebook/Leighley Leli Darling

Tucika says the tragedy also highlights the need for:

• Stronger protection against discrimination.

• More supportive responses from police and healthcare systems.

• Safe and inclusive schools.

• More responsibility from social media platforms to address harmful content.

• Consistent funding for community services.

"We call on leaders, communities, and every Pacific Islander to choose compassion over hate, to stand for dignity, and to uphold the humanity of all people," Tucika says.

For those needing support, the PSGDN advises reaching out to trusted friends, healthcare providers, or community services. She adds that crisis hotlines, LGBTQI+ organisations, and police support units are vital resources for help.

This is not the first suspicious death involving a member of the LGBTQI+ community in Fiji. The most notable case was in 2001 when Fiji's Director-General of the Red Cross, John Scott, and his partner, Gregory Scrivener, were murdered in their home in Suva.