The police investigation into the gruesome murder of a 20-year-old woman in the Roysambu area of Nairobi is intensifying as they work to piece together the identity of the prime suspect who is believed to be Nigerian.
In CCTV footage obtained by the police, the suspect’s face was unmasked in CCTV footage. However, he deliberately disguised his looks to hinder the investigation. The CCTV footage revealed the suspect, dressed in a black trouser, black jumper and a blue T-shirt. He was also donning black goggles, and a white cape.
In the footage, the suspect is seen entering a mini-supermarket around 4:30 pm on Saturday, January 13.
The suspect then handed the phone to the shop attendant, who briefly spoke with the caller before returning the phone to the suspect. According to the shop attendant, the suspect claimed to be in communication with the owner of the adjacent Airbnb, who directed him to pick up the keys.
After obtaining the keys, the suspect made cash payments, citing mobile money challenges. Police believe this is a deliberate attempt to hide his details which may be exposed by mobile payments.
A close examination of the footage suggested he was carrying a bag, suspected to conceal the murder weapon. The suspect was supposed to return the keys on Sunday morning. However, he disappeared with the keys.
It is believed that the suspect accessed the room alone initially, but the woman joined him later in the night. Despite not being seen together, a neighbor reported seeing the woman enter the room at 4 am, but was not seen leaving thereafter.
Forensic technology for suspect identification
To identify the suspect, law enforcement have hinted that they may utilize advanced facial mapping technology. This technology will be used to analyze the suspect’s gait through forensic technology, and collecting DNA samples for analysis.
The combination of these methods could aid in narrowing down and confirming the suspect’s identity.
Further investigations by the police traced the suspect’s mobile phone, revealing he traveled from Ruaka to Roysambu for the murder. However, it remains unclear whether he drove to the location or was dropped off by a taxi.
In related news, the murdered woman’s family identified her body at the City mortuary as their kin. Access to the body however remains prohibited as investigations are ongoing.
Detectives are also focused on tracing the woman’s phone, which the suspect allegedly took along with the woman’s head after dismembering her body.
