Police on Tuesday linked the murder of a Meru Senior Resident Magistrate’s daughter to a relationship break up.
According to the Standard, sources within the DCI in Meru stated that they had two suspects in custody over the murder of Maribel Kapolon.
The main suspect was a former prison officer who worked in Meru but quit working under unknown conditions.
Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti disclosed to a media outlet that a relationship break up between Maribel’s mother and the former prison officer is believed to be the reason behind the murder.
The officer, who was arrested in Meru, was interrogated at the area police station and his fingerprints taken as part of the ongoing investigations.
The second suspect who is claimed to have made the call to demand for ransom was arrested in Kayole.
“We believe that suspect was just an opportunist who saw an opportunity to make money from the agony of the family, but by making that call he landed himself in big trouble,” a police source was quoted by the Standard.
Reports stated that Maribel was kidnapped by someone she knew well near Total Petrol Station along the Meru town-Makutano road.
Children who were with the deceased before her abduction explained that she described the man as her uncle.
Maribel’s body, that was found in Upper Imenti Forest, had cuts on the thighs and one arm appeared to have been burnt with acid.
The nine-year old’s body showed signs of having been tortured and killed by her kidnappers shortly after they had demanded a ransom for her release.
Her death sparked a public outcry that resulted to demonstrations in Meru on Monday by advocates seeking to see the Imenti Deputy OCPD David Kavuu and North Imenti Deputy County Commissioner Isaac Masinde.
