From used condoms, knife and HIV kits; the chilling details in Wahu's murder case

John Matara, prime suspect in the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu. [File, Standard] A suspected murder weapon, used condoms, HIV test kits, blood stains, and a passport were tabled at Milimani High Court yesterday as the prosecution built a case against the prime suspect in the murder of socialite Starlet Wahu. The images, presented by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, laid bare the grisly details of the crime scene inside a South B apartment where Wahu's body was discovered on January 4, last year. Police constable Allan Njoka described the scene in room Y32 at the Papino Apartments, narrating how a security guard saw John Matara, the man who had hired it, leave in a blood-soaked towel. "I recorded a used condom, the pack that held it, a knife suspected to be the murder weapon hidden behind the sofa, a handbag, a passport belonging to Wahu, HIV test kits, and a mobile phone," Njoka told Justice Alexander Muteti. The officer also presented three photos depicting the deceased's body in a pool of blood. "Photos 12 and 13 show close-up views of the face of the deceased, exposing injuries on the forehead and left ear," he said. "Photo 15 is a close-up view of the right leg showing a deep stab wound on the thigh. This injury was significant." Other images captured smeared blood on the bedroom walls and the sitting room, a blood-stained tissue, and the personal belongings of the deceased. Rahma Abdul Muthoni, a receptionist at the South B Hospital, narrated how Matara sought medical treatment on the same night. "At around 10pm, an injured man came in wrapped in a white towel soaked in blood," Rahma said. "He was bleeding from his arms and legs." The man identified himself as Fredrick Opondo, aged 36. "He was kind of rude," Rahma recalled. "The nurse asked about his relatives, but he said he had none nearby. He also said he does not have a wife." Matara claimed he had been attacked by thugs and rescued by boda boda riders. "He paid Sh2,000 in blood-stained cash, and the balance of Sh500 was settled via M-Pesa by a man named Anthony." The doctor referred Matara to the Mbagathi Hospital due to the severity of his wounds. Former government pathologist Peter Ndegwa confirmed the 24-year-old socialite died from excessive bleeding caused by a deep stab wound on her right thigh. "The deceased had a ten-figure nail mark on her neck, bruises on her face, and a penetrating stab wound on the thigh. The body was very pale, indicating massive blood loss," said Dr Ndegwa. Jane Wairimu Mutugi, an Airbnb operator in South B, painted a grim picture of how a normal booking turned into a nightmare. "I received a call from an unknown number. We switched to WhatsApp, and he requested photos of the available rooms. He insisted on a unit with a balcony," Wairimu testified. The man, later identified as Matara, paid Sh3,200 in cash. "Everything seemed normal until around 9pm when I got a call from the house owner, Charity, saying the guest had just left the building wearing a towel soaked in blood." When police broke into the unit, Wairimu witnessed the horror. "From where I stood, I could see blood everywhere inside the house. The woman (Wahu) was squatting near the door, her face down," she said. The case was adjourned with four more witnesses expected.

From used condoms, knife and HIV kits; the chilling details in Wahu's murder case

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From used condoms, knife and HIV kits; the chilling details in Wahu's murder case

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