A family in Karongi was plunged into grief after a woman who had been raising children largely on her own was found dead in a forest, with authorities saying suicide is suspected.
Nyirarukundo Annociata, 39, was found hanging from a tree in a forest in Kabyaza Village, Gitega Cell, Rugabano Sector, Karongi District, on the morning of August 18, 2026.
Authorities said the circumstances pointed to a suspected suicide, but her body was taken to Kibuye Hospital for examination to establish the cause of death before burial.
Her mother raised the alarm after hearing a child crying
The discovery came after Nyirarukundo’s mother heard her two-year-old and six-month-old grandchild crying during the night.
She called her daughter but could not reach her. She then alerted neighbours, who joined the search to establish where Nyirarukundo had gone after leaving the child at home.
During the search, residents found her body in the nearby forest.
Rugabano Sector Executive Secretary Kuzabaganwa Vedaste confirmed the discovery, saying residents found Nyirarukundo with a rope around her neck and her body hanging from a tree branch.
“Residents found her dead, with a rope around her neck hanging from a tree branch,” Kuzabaganwa told IGIHE.
He cautioned residents against keeping serious personal problems to themselves and encouraged anyone facing difficulties to seek assistance from local authorities.
She had reportedly been raising children alone
Neighbours said Nyirarukundo had spent about two years raising her children after her husband allegedly left the family and moved to Kigali.
The circumstances left her responsible for caring for the children, according to people who knew the family.
About two weeks before her death, Nyirarukundo’s mother had taken her daughter and the youngest child into her own home so she could help care for them after Nyirarukundo became ill.
Her 10-year-old had recently complained of hunger
Nyirarukundo was also responsible for other children, including a 10-year-old who had recently told her that the family did not have enough food.
The information provided indicates that after the child complained of hunger, Nyirarukundo gave the family money she had recently received as payment through the VUP programme, leaving her with little or nothing for herself.
The circumstances point to significant financial and family pressures, although authorities have not established that these difficulties directly caused her death.
Authorities urge people to seek help
Kuzabaganwa said the incident should encourage residents facing serious difficulties to seek help instead of struggling alone.
“The message we gave residents is that people should not take their own lives. We encourage anyone facing a problem to approach the authorities so that we can help them instead of keeping the problem to themselves,” he said.
The appeal comes as local authorities continue to encourage vulnerable residents and families facing difficult circumstances to seek assistance through available community and government support mechanisms.
Cause of death awaits medical examination
Nyirarukundo’s body was transferred to Kibuye Hospital for examination. The medical findings are expected to help establish the precise cause of death.
Although suicide is suspected based on the circumstances in which she was found, no final determination has been publicly established until the medical examination and any relevant investigations are completed.
The case also highlights the pressures that can affect households where one parent is left with responsibility for children, particularly where financial hardship and limited family support are involved.
