An autopsy report has revealed that Pastor Rev. Julius Ngari Ndumia of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa died of suffocation following serious head injuries sustained in an attack.
The autopsy was carried out on May 6 by Nakuru pathologist Titus Ngulungu who found that the priest had sustained multiple injuries to the head and neck causing asphyxia and profuse bleeding.
The pathologist said the corpse showed signs of attack after the operation, including lesions to the neck and front and back of the skull. He was tied up and had some injuries to his neck, as well as injuries, particularly to the front and back of his head, when the Reverend’s body was examined.
Those were the most obvious injuries, he said, He noted that the dead pastor had a big cut at the back of his skull that affected his brain and showed he had been violently attacked with a blunt weapon. The autopsy reports he was killed by multiple head traumas.
“The back of the head had a big fracture, probably from a blunt instrument, with very serious damage to the brain,” the pathologist continued. The results showed the injuries caused a lot of bleeding, which was worsened by pressure on the neck that made it difficult to breathe.
“The cause of death was suffocation from pressure on the neck, which prevented him breathing properly, which we call asphyxiation, and the head injuries which resulted in a lot of blood loss,” he said.
The inspection also found marks on the wrists and legs, suggesting the dead man could have been restrained before he died.
Francis Mwangi, a family representative, said that the family had received the results and was pleased with the procedure so far while urging prompt justice.
“We are grateful to the whole team and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for their help. We are happy with the results and anticipate prompt justice for our dear one,” Mwangi said.
The family and the community are depending on the government to make sure those guilty are caught, according to Bahati MP Irene Njoki.
“We have faith that the government will ensure justice is served for the Reverend, even though he was attacked by unknown individuals,” she said.
On the evening of May 3, Rev. Ndumia was assassinated at the Tabuga, Nakuru County, church house in what police characterised as a suspected criminal assault.
Police said that early in the morning, the attackers broke into the complex, overpowered a security guard, and made him bring them to the pastor’s residence.
Before committing the deadly assault and looting the residence, the perpetrators are said to have restrained both victims.
The wounded watchman escaped the assault, but the pastor’s corpse with extensive cuts was subsequently discovered inside the living room.
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa said that the murder was a terrible loss and that both the church and its members were profoundly affected.
The murder is still being investigated.
