The family of a 32-year-old woman is grappling with shock after her body was discovered inside her Lavington apartment weeks after she was last seen by neighbours. The discovery was reportedly triggered by a foul smell coming from the residence, prompting apartment management to raise the alarm.
Highlights
- Mercy Maina was reportedly last seen in early August.
- Her body was discovered at an apartment in Lavington, Nairobi.
- Residents raised concerns after noticing a foul smell from her house.
- Police forced open the apartment after a report was made at Muthangari Police Station.
- The circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation.
Main Story
Concern Grows Over Her Whereabouts
Mercy Maina, 32, lived at For Homes Apartments in the Valley Arcade area of Lavington.
According to information from the apartment management, neighbours had not seen her for several weeks. Concern intensified when residents began noticing an unusual smell coming from her apartment.
The building manager reportedly received the first complaint about the smell on August 12. He visited the property and asked residents to open their doors as he tried to establish where the odour was coming from.
Efforts to contact Maina by phone were unsuccessful.
As the days went by without any word from her, the manager reportedly contacted the apartment’s owner to find out whether Maina had been in communication with him or had explained her absence.
Police Discover Body Inside Apartment
The matter was eventually reported to officers at Muthangari Police Station on September 3.
Police officers later went to the apartment and gained entry after forcing the door open.
Inside, they found Maina’s body on her bed in an advanced state of decomposition.
Scenes of Crime officers processed the apartment before the body was taken to the City Mortuary for further examination.
The circumstances surrounding her death have not been conclusively established. Initial reports have suggested that she may have taken her own life, but this remains subject to investigations and any findings from a post-mortem examination.
Message Left Behind
Reports indicate that Maina left behind a message reflecting on how people treat one another.
She reportedly encouraged people to show compassion rather than judge others and expressed gratitude towards her landlord for his patience during periods when she struggled to meet her rent obligations.
She also left instructions regarding her belongings, asking that they be given to her mother. According to the report, she had hoped to build a home for her mother.
Maina also expressed preferences regarding her final rites, including a wish not to have a conventional burial.
Family Struggles With Loss
Her mother has described Maina as a lively person who enjoyed being around people.
The family is now trying to process the circumstances surrounding her death while discussing how to honour her wishes and give her a dignified send-off.
The mother said she had spoken to her daughter at the beginning of August and had not noticed anything that suggested she was facing serious difficulties.
For now, the family continues to await clearer answers as investigations into Maina’s death continue.
Sometimes the people closest to us may be carrying struggles we cannot see making compassion, checking in and listening more important than ever.
