Police in Samoa only became aware of the death of a girl six years ago after the recent rape conviction of a man who is now one of the suspects in her alleged killing.
The police have charged the man and his wife with the murder of their 13 year old daughter in the village of Ti'avea.
Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says the father was recently convicted of indecent assault and rape and the victim also told police about the mysterious death of the 13 year old.
"That's how the police found out about the death so the father is serving a jail term for those two criminal charges but he's also facing the murder charge, jointly charged with the wife."
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia says the couple's eight remaining children were also interviewed by police.
