Model questioned over ex-KTB boss son's death

By CYRUS OMBATI

A top beauty model has been questioned in connection with the tragic death of a commercial advertising photographer Charlie Grieves-Cook at her Langata house, Nairobi.

Police summoned the 24-year-old former Ford supermodel finalist and M-Net Face of Africa for questioning after it emerged she was in the company of Grieves-Cook when they were attacked at the Desert Rose Apartment on Saturday night.

Grieves-Cook, 37 was a son to the former Chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board Jake Grieves-Cook who is also a director with Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps.

He died as he tried to escape from gunmen who had raided the house. He landed on his head and died on arrival at the Nairobi West Hospital.

The body was moved to the Lee Funeral Home as a team of detectives led by Langata CID boss James Manuni launched investigations.

His friends said the model was Charlie’s girlfriend and had been with him at his Karen home moments earlier before they drove to Langata.

The gang

The gang had walked in unchecked at the gate because there was a party on the second floor of the building and there were many people getting in and out.

The guards on duty reportedly thought the two were among the guests who were attending the party.

The gang forced their way into the house where they demanded to know the whereabouts of Charlie.

And after they got into the house, Mr Grieves-Cook took refuge on the third floor balcony of the house.

"It seems he knew these people were after him because he ran there after they knocked the door," said Langata OCPD Rono Bunei.

The model told police she managed to convince the gang to leave the house and immediately rushed to the balcony where she found her boyfriend still hanging onto a railing.

He let go

She tried unsuccessfully to pull him up. She then informed him to hang on for her to get a bedsheet to tie him before she could pull him up.

It was then that he apparently became tired and let go of his grip. He fell down hitting his head on the floor where he bled profusely.

A watchman who was guarding the apartment was shot and wounded in the hand as he tried to confront the gunmen as they ran out. He is in stable condition in hospital.

The watchman's colleagues said he was armed with a panga when he was shot in the left hand by the fleeing gang.

The police officers investigating the incident said they are yet to know the motive behind the attack.

No arrests have been made so far.