​Police in the Chuave District of Simbu Province have launched an investigation into the murder of a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church elder, who was accused of sorcery in Kue village in West Elimbari, before his brutal killing. ​The attack occurred on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. A group of people accused the church elder, who was in his mid-40s, of using sorcery to cause the death of a fellow clansman. ​Constable Gabriel Suka, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Officer in Charge, confirmed that a formal investigation began last week after the PNG Tribal Foundation assisted local police with their inquiries. ​Constable Suka noted that while no formal complaint was filed at the station, the police became aware of the incident through social media posts. “We are grateful to the PNG Tribal Foundation for stepping in to assist.” “The area is extremely remote, and responding to incidents like this is often logistically difficult and expensive.” ​A major incident report has been submitted to the Provincial Police Commander's office in Simbu. At this time, the suspects have not been identified, and police are asking the community for any information that could lead to their arrest. The killing highlights the persistent issue of sorcery-related violence in remote parts of Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Highlands. A combination of traditional beliefs and limited access to the justice system can often lead to tragic outcomes. ​Furthermore, police are urging the people to avoid taking the law into their own hands and to report any suspected crimes directly to the authorities.