Patrick Mwangi, 28, and Jackline Wambui, 25, from Kenya’s Nyerere area, have died in circumstances that remain under investigation after they were found dead only about three hours after beginning to live together as a couple.
Postmortem examinations found that both died from suffocation caused by strangulation. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths, including a preliminary theory that one may have killed the other before taking their own life.
Police investigate the final hours
Murang’a County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo said initial evidence pointed to the possibility that one of the two killed the other before committing suicide.
However, police have not reached a final conclusion and are continuing to examine other possible explanations for the deaths.
Blood samples from both victims have been preserved for further analysis. Investigators are expected to determine whether alcohol or any other substance may have contributed to what happened.
Their final evening
On August 9, 2026, Wambui arrived at Mwangi’s home at around 6 p.m., marking the beginning of a new chapter after the couple had been in a relationship for nearly three years.
They later left on Mwangi’s motorcycle to celebrate the start of their new life together. They returned home at around 7 p.m., but within roughly half an hour, both had died.
Reports indicate that earlier that day they had visited several bars in Maragua and Gakoigo and had also visited members of Mwangi’s family before returning home.
A relationship marked by repeated conflict
Although Mwangi and Wambui had been together for almost three years, their families described a relationship marked by repeated break-ups and reconciliations.
Mwangi’s mother, Bilha Wangare, said she had intervened in several attempts to resolve their disagreements. According to her, their disputes involved money, phones, relationships with their respective families and a lack of trust.
Mwangi worked as a motorcycle taxi operator, while Wambui relied on various jobs for income.
Disputes over money and property
Mwangi had previously accused Wambui of taking 100,000 Kenyan shillings from him.
Wambui, meanwhile, wanted Mwangi to hand over documents relating to his motorcycle and a title document for a 0.1-acre piece of land he had purchased in Makuyu, Maragua.
The couple also disagreed over money Mwangi gave to his parents. Wambui reportedly felt he was prioritising his parents over their own household.
A reconciliation meeting came days before the deaths
On August 4, Wangare convened a meeting aimed at resolving the couple’s disputes.
During the meeting, Mwangi said he wanted Wambui to have a child with him before they formally began living together, while Wambui continued to demand access to documents relating to his property.
They eventually agreed that Mwangi would help Wambui establish a business at Irembu market, while Wambui agreed that they would begin plans to have children.
After the meeting, Mwangi gave his motorcycle and land documents to his mother for safekeeping, reportedly saying he did not trust Wambui with them.
On August 6, Wambui called Wangare and informed her that she had decided to move in with Mwangi. She was scheduled to move on August 9, the same day she arrived at his home.
The moments before the deaths
After the couple returned home at around 7 p.m., Wangare said Wambui appeared extremely sleepy and tired, while Mwangi appeared to have been drinking.
Before returning to his house, Mwangi visited his parents and siblings and spoke with each of them. His mother later interpreted the unusual series of visits as though her son had been saying goodbye.
Mwangi also told his mother that Wambui had posted a photograph of another man on social media and sent it to him, allegedly telling him that if he did not treat her well, she would leave him for the other man.
Mother discovers her son hanging outside
Concerned about her son, Wangare took a flashlight and went to check on him.
She found Mwangi hanging from an avocado tree behind the house. Neighbours entered the house and found Wambui dead inside.
Police subsequently began investigating the circumstances surrounding both deaths, while additional forensic tests are expected to provide further evidence about their final hours.
Wambui leaves behind a five-year-old daughter
Wambui leaves behind a five-year-old daughter.
Her aunt, Tabitha Njoki, said the family knew Wambui was preparing to begin a new life with Mwangi but had no idea that the relationship would end only hours after it began.
The deaths came after nearly three years of a relationship reportedly marked by repeated disagreements and reconciliations. However, investigators have yet to establish conclusively what happened between the couple during their final hours.
Police investigations remain ongoing, with authorities seeking to establish the precise sequence of events and determine whether further evidence will confirm or alter the preliminary theory surrounding the deaths.
