Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — February 16, 2026 marked a tragic night in the village of Puapua, Leone, after a violent confrontation between two women escalated into a fatal stabbing near the Alofa Tunoa Church. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:20 p.m., prompted an immediate response from law enforcement and emergency medical personnel after reports were made of a female victim suffering from multiple stab wounds.

The situation quickly developed into a homicide investigation after the victim succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital. Authorities later confirmed that a female suspect had been identified and taken into custody in connection with the incident.

She was later identified as Maryann Galo and was later charged with:

Count 1 & 2: Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony punishable by life imprisonment or a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years, and not more than 30;

Count 3: Assault in the First Degree, a class A felony punishable by life imprisonment or a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years, and not more than 30;

Count 4: Criminally Negligent Homicide, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than five years, or a fine not more than $5,000, or both; and,

Count 5: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both.

The defendant is held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, filed in the District Court on Feb. 24, 2026, police officers were notified of the situation when the Leone Police Substation contacted the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (CIIB) requesting assistance with a reported stabbing in the Puapua area.

Upon receiving the call, a response team was activated and officers were dispatched to both the scene and the hospital.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transported the victim to LBJ Tropical Medical Center, where medical personnel attempted life-saving measures. However, the victim later died as a result of her injuries. A physician who examined the victim determined that the cause of death was hypotensive shock due to cardiopulmonary trauma and internal bleeding.

The victim sustained three puncture wounds, including one to the left side of her body near the rib cage, one above her left elbow, and another on her left forearm.

Officers who secured the scene, began canvassing the area for witnesses and evidence. Investigators made contact with a key witness who was working as a night security guard at the Alofa Tunoa Church at the time of the incident.

According to the witness, at around 10 p.m., he heard a woman shouting profanities and yelling a war cry as she walked along the main road near the church. The individual, later identified as the suspect, appeared agitated and continued shouting as she moved eastbound along the highway.

The witness further stated that he observed another woman following closely behind the suspect. At one point, a black pickup truck traveling eastbound stopped briefly near the suspect, as if attempting to communicate with her, before quickly driving away.

Shortly after, the second woman caught up to the suspect and initiated a physical altercation by pulling her hair and striking her. The confrontation quickly intensified as both individuals moved off the roadway and into an open field across from the church. The witness reported that the physical fight continued, with the victim allegedly overpowering the suspect and striking her repeatedly while on top of her.

A third individual, later identified as the suspect’s sister, intervened and managed to separate the two women. However, despite the temporary separation, the situation again escalated moments later.

Investigators state that after being separated, the suspect retrieved a knife with a wooden handle from her backpack. She then moved around her sister and approached the victim, stabbing her multiple times. The suspect later admitted to stabbing the victim three times, describing how she thrust the knife into the victim’s body during the altercation.

Following the stabbing, the victim walked back toward the main road and reportedly made statements indicating she had been stabbed before collapsing to the ground.

Nearby individuals rushed to assist her while EMS were contacted. Officers immediately began searching for the suspect, who had fled the scene following the incident. The search continued into the early hours of the next day.

On Feb.17, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m., law enforcement officers located and apprehended the suspect at a residence. She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the CIIB office in Fagatogo for questioning.

During her interview with investigators, after being advised of her constitutional rights, the suspect agreed to provide a statement.

She stated that earlier in the evening she had gone to retrieve belongings from her boyfriend’s residence but was chased away, which left her feeling angry and frustrated. She admitted to yelling profanities and shouting a war cry as she walked along the highway.

The suspect further claimed that she was unaware she was being followed until the victim approached her from behind, pulled her hair, and began physically assaulting her. She stated that she was dragged into a nearby field where the assault continued, with the victim striking her multiple times while she was on the ground.

She told investigators that after being separated by her sister, she retrieved the knife from her backpack and stabbed the victim during the confrontation.

Authorities confirmed that her statement was consistent with evidence gathered at the scene and witness accounts.

The suspect was subsequently booked and held as the case was prepared for prosecution. The matter has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for further legal proceedings.

The defendant is identified as a 33-year-old U.S National.