A prominent Samoan novelist, poet and playwright murdered a notable Samoan academic and fellow writer who also was former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard’s aunt, Samoan authorities allege, according to several reports. Samoan police charged Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, with manslaughter May 26 over the alleged fatal bludgeoning and stabbing of Professor Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard, 78, the Samoa Observer reported. The police upgraded the charge to murder following the emergence of new details and alleged incriminating evidence, according to the report. “A hammer is alleged to have been used as…