The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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An autopsy has ruled out suicide in the death of a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officer whose body was discovered at Nakuru National Park, prompting police to launch a murder investigation.
Investigators said fresh inquiries have begun after the post-mortem examination contradicted the initial belief that the officer had taken his own life.
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The examination was carried out on Thursday at Umash Funeral Home in Nakuru by pathologist Dr. Titus Ngulungu on the body of Corporal Leonard Ochieng Odero, who was stationed at the KWS Honeymoon Camp within Nakuru National Park.
According to the autopsy report, Corporal Odero suffered three fatal gunshot wounds. One bullet entered through the back of the head and exited through the mouth, causing extensive damage to the jaws. Another entered through the left side of the back and exited through the chest, while a third struck the left shoulder from the front before exiting through the back, shattering the upper arm.
The pathologist concluded that the officer died from severe blood loss and critical head and chest injuries.
Dr. Ngulungu further stated that the nature and location of the gunshot wounds were inconsistent with a self-inflicted shooting, effectively dismissing the earlier suicide theory.
Following the findings, detectives have reopened the case as a suspected homicide and are re-examining the scene for additional evidence.
Police said investigations are ongoing to determine how the officer sustained the fatal injuries and who may have been responsible.
The incident was first reported on June 23 as a suspected suicide after the officer was found dead with gunshot wounds inside his house at the KWS facility within the national park.
Authorities said the officer had been issued with a service rifle and ammunition while on duty. Investigators recovered spent cartridges at the scene, along with a handwritten note believed to have been written by the deceased and addressed to close family members, containing personal instructions.
Despite the discovery of the note, police said inconsistencies at the scene prompted further scrutiny.
Crime Scene Investigation officers revisited the scene on Thursday, documenting it and collecting additional evidence for forensic analysis. The firearm has been secured as an exhibit.
Sources indicated that Corporal Odero had been transferred to Nakuru National Park from Aberdare National Park about six weeks before his death.
Detectives are now pursuing new leads following the autopsy report, although the motive behind the killing remains unknown.
