Family demands answers after Jason Rigby’s ‘suicide’ stabbing death in Fiji

The family of Australian man Jason Rigby, who died with multiple stab wounds while working in Fiji, are demanding answers after his death was ruled a suicide.

The family of an Australian man who died under mysterious circumstances while working at a hotel in Fiji, are demanding answers after his death was ruled a suicide.

Jason Rigby, 40, was working as acting manager of Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort on December 14 last year when he was found unconscious in the bathroom of a suite with stab wounds to his chest.

Speaking to 60 Minutes, friend and colleague Arushi Arora said Jason was found by two people with stab wounds.

Australian Jason Rigby died at Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort and Spa, where he was working as executive assistant manager, on December 14, 2024. Picture: supplied

Upon finding Jason, one person called Ms Arora and ordered her to call an ambulance, adding Jason had “stabbed himself” in the apartment.

Ms Arora then ran into the bathroom, where she said she found the 40yo “half lying there” with a “couple of injuries to his chest”.

He was declared dead at the scene.

Born in Christchurch, Jason eventually settled on the Gold Coast, where he became a surf lifesaver and eventually followed his father’s footsteps by entering the hotel business.

Remembered as a fun-loving and adventure-seeking guy, his brother Chris told The Australian he “loved his freedom and doing what he wanted”.

Jason is remembered as a fun-loving and adventurous man. Picture: 60 Minutes

Jason’s heartbroken family said they were left in the dark about his death for 10 hours, when they learned the news from Queensland Police.

When brother Peter Rigby spoke to Jason’s girlfriend, she said she understood his death was a suicide.

Fiji Police also said the cause of death was suicide, and confirmed there would be “no criminal investigation” into the incident.

However, Jason’s family are demanding an investigation be launched into his death, adding they were offered “little-to-no information” about the circumstances of the incident.

They have enlisted a private investigator and former UK police detective, Phil Jones, to unearth any evidence about the death.

His family have doubts his death was self-inflicted. Picture: supplied

Chris doesn’t think his brother’s death was a suicide, and believes there was “foul play” involved.

“I think something’s happened a couple of days leading up (to James’ death),” he told 60 Minutes.

“We don’t know what that is, but, um we could be missing something.”

Professor Roger Byard said the official explanation for Jason’s death didn’t add up, and said the local police should have treated his death as a homicide immediately.

“Suicidal stabbings are so uncommon, and you don’t want to miss a homicide,” he said.

They have since hired legal representation to push the case, which they said has been upgraded into a murder investigation.

He was found in a suite with stab wounds. Picture: 60 Minutes

Jason’s family said investigations into his death determined the knife found at the scene did not belong to him, sparking further questions about its origins.

“We’re going to keep fighting until we, until we get those answers,” Chris said.

“We just want justice for him. We can’t bring him back ... but at least justice. That’s what we want.”

The family said Jason’s death was now the subject of a coronial inquest at the Nadi Magistrates Court.

However, on Sunday, Fiji Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa told local outlet Fijivillage there was no indication of any foul play.

He added investigations into Jason’s death were ongoing and urged for the family’s patience.

NewsWire has contacted Fiji Police Force and Nadi Magistrates Court for comment.

Originally published as Family demands answers after Jason Rigby’s ‘suicide’ stabbing death in Fiji