Autopsy reveals Kayole woman died of strangulation, excessive bleeding

Sisters to the late Catherine Wanjiru who was killed by her boyfriend in Kayole, Nairobi on May 13, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Catherine Wanjiru alias Sharon Cate 40, whose body was found at her house in Kayole Junction on May 10, 2025, died of strangulation and excessive bleeding, autopsy results have established.

Even though initial reports indicated that she was stabbed several times on the head and around the armpits, autopsy carried out at Mama Lucy Kibaki Funeral Home established that her windpipe was broken.

It was established that the knife pierced through her ribs leading to excessive bleeding around the lungs.

"She lost more than half a litre of blood due to the stab on the ribs but broken windpipe out of strangulation ended her life," he sister Dorcas Wambui share.

On the fateful night, Mathenge who is the person of interest in the case is reported to have visited Wanjiru at her residence near Kayole Junction along Kangundo Road.

At the time, Wanjiru was with her 11-year-old son, who witnessed part of the encounter between the two adults.

However, what exactly transpired remains unclear, as Wanjiru was later found dead in the house, bearing stab wounds.

It is alleged that Mathenge was reportedly seen leaving the compound with a Maasai shuka draped over his head, seemingly to conceal his identity.

And when the security guard called him, he reportedly fled away towards Kangundo Road around 10 pm.

In the house, he is said to have left behind a mobile phone and a copy of his identity card, an indication that he was a frequent visitor.

“I was among the first to step in the house after police and what I saw was horrific. Wanjiru lay dead with several stabs on the head, neck and arms,” the deceased sister Ann Wambui said.

“The painful part is the son was also present and saw the mother in that state. He did not fully comprehend what had happened due to his innocence.” she added.