The chilling details surrounding the murder of Margaret Mbitu by suspect Kevin Kinyanjui Kang'ethe were exposed during a recent hearing at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts.
The prime suspect, Kevin Kinyanjui Kang'ethe, was extradited from Kenya, where he had fled after the crime.
Prosecutors detailed how, on October 31, 2023, Mbitu's body was discovered in an SUV parked at Boston Logan International Airport during a missing person investigation. Kang'ethe reportedly took a taxi from his residence in Lowell to Mbitu's workplace, where he intercepted her as she was leaving. He then drove her home using her vehicle, registered in his name.
During the drive, Kang'ethe allegedly attacked Mbitu, stabbing her ten times in the face and neck. The prosecution added that Kang'ethe answered two calls on Mbitu's phone, assuring concerned family members and coworkers that she could not speak due to an injury. He later disposed of her phone in a dumpster in Chelsea, leading detectives to him through surveillance footage.
Mbitu's body was found 30 hours later, face down in the reclined front seat of the car, covered with various items to avoid detection. Her family, present in court, expressed hope for justice while mourning their loss.
Speaking on behalf of the victim’s sister, Mbitu's cousin, Mary Kinyariro, emphasized their determination to hold Kang'ethe accountable. Another cousin, Joel Muhoro, remembered Mbitu as a kind and generous woman with dreams of entrepreneurship and nursing.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden remarked that the commencement of court proceedings symbolized a step toward justice for Mbitu, who was remembered as a beloved caregiver and nurse.
Kang'ethe pleaded not guilty and was denied bail, with the case set for mention on November 5.
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