People along the Markham River have been searching for the body of a female teacher who went missing last Saturday.
Locals told police the teacher allegedly committed suicide by jumping of the Markham Bridge at 2am on Friday after an argument with her husband.
But with the school year ahead, police are skeptical and are looking at all leads in their investigation.
They have asked the locals to find the body.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintend Jacob Singura confirmed the unfortunate incident and will release a full report once the investigation report is made available from his officers on the ground.
Rural Commander Chief Inspector John Daviaga briefly stated that the victim is a female teacher, originally from East New Britain, and was married to a man from Gabensis village in Huon Gulf District, Morobe.
Police and locals have located the area where her body is believed to be trapped underwater.
The spot has logs under water and we are still trying to remove them (logs) and see.
At the moment it is a possible suicide case and police investigation is still under way with no arrest made.
Information is still sketchy.
tor John Daviaga
Chief Inspector Daviaga reported that the incident took last Sunday Jan 23, 2022 at around 2am.
The victim was alleged to have had an argument with her husband. She allegedly walked over to Markham Bridge and followed it to the middle where she jumped into the river.
It is alleged that she drowned in the river.
Huon Gulf district administrator Moses Wanga named the victim as Jeanie Paulias.
Huon Gulf MP Ross Seymour has engaged an excavator to remove logs so divers can search freely without getting trapped themselves.
Mr Wanga said the search will continue for seven days.
The search is also conducted alongside the river down to three Labu villages, Aigris, DCA and Voco Point beach fronts.