Paul Malimwe who is Deputy Police Public Relations Officer at Nkhotakota police station told MBC that, deceased mother Dorothy Leston explained to the law enforcers that, Esther Phiri (deceased) on May 27, 2017 left home and went to unknown place without informing anyone.

“A day passed without her reporting back. This prompted the mother to report the matter to police for help. Efforts to trace her whereabouts proved futile until on May 30, 2017 when she was found lying lifeless in the bush about 3 kilometres away from home in a decomposed state,” said Malimwe.

He further said that after the discovery of the body the mother confirmed that the remains were for her missing daughter.

“At the scene a string was found suspected to have been used to take her life. Medical personnel confirmed that the death was due to strangulation however police are investigating further on the matter,” added Malimwe.

The deceased Esther Phiri hailed from Damba village in the area of Senior Chief Mwadzama in Nkhotakota district.