Federal law enforcement agencies in American Samoa have now joined the continuing investigation into the disappearance of Wyatt Bowles Jr.
Mr Bowles is believed to have been murdered.
Assistant Attorney General Mark Roy says that as of yesterday federal agencies became actively involved in the investigation.
He says this followed a request from the Attorney General Fiti Sunia after the murder investigation had uncovered evidence of other related crimes.
Mr Roy says the Bowles case is turning out to be much bigger than originally thought and the probe has taken an unusual turn.
Mr Roy declined to give further details, but has confirmed the federal agents would be involved to a substantial degree despite an initial statement from Fiti Sunia that the FBI would not be asked to help.
