A postmortem examination on the body of 25-year-old Joyce Kanini, whose mutilated remains were found in Nyeri county last week, has established that she died from excessive bleeding, as her family demanded swift justice and the arrest of the main suspect.

Kanini’s body was discovered on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Ngangarithi centre in Nyeri county in a gruesome killing that has shocked residents and sparked public outrage.

According to police and family members, the body was found with the head, hands and legs missing, raising concern over the brutality of the attack and the circumstances leading to her death.

The findings of the postmortem have now confirmed that Kanini bled to death, even as investigators continue efforts to recover the missing body parts and establish the full sequence of events before she was killed.

Her family said Kanini went missing on June 10, 2026, a day before her body was recovered.

Relatives said she had spoken to her father shortly before her disappearance. Her father had reportedly asked her to return home to Laikipia, but Kanini told him she was held up by work commitments and would not be able to travel at the time.

The family said communication with her stopped shortly after that conversation, raising alarm among relatives who later received news of the discovery of her body.

Police have identified Kanini’s estranged boyfriend, John Muriithi, alias “Tizo”, as the main suspect in the murder.

Muriithi remains at large, with police saying efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest him.

Investigators said the suspect was the person who reported the matter at Nyeri police station on Wednesday, June 10, a day before Kanini’s body was recovered.

Police are now investigating the circumstances under which he made the report and his possible involvement in the killing.

The family has called on security agencies to move with speed and ensure the suspect is arrested and prosecuted.

They said Kanini’s killing had left them devastated and demanded answers on why she was targeted in such a brutal manner.

Her relatives also appealed to anyone with information that could assist investigators to come forward and help police conclude the case.

The murder has renewed concern over rising cases of violence against women, particularly killings involving intimate partners and people known to the victims.

While police have not yet released full details on the motive, the family said they want the investigation handled urgently and transparently to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Residents of Ngangarithi and surrounding areas have also expressed shock over the incident, describing the killing as disturbing and calling for increased security vigilance.

Police said a full-scale investigation has been launched, with detectives pursuing several leads in the search for the suspect.

They are also continuing with efforts to locate Kanini’s missing body parts, which could provide further forensic evidence in the case.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, DCI, is expected to lead the probe, working with officers in Nyeri County and other security agencies.

Authorities have urged members of the public to share any information on the whereabouts of Muriithi, warning that anyone found hiding or assisting the suspect could face legal action.

Kanini’s family said their immediate focus is to ensure she receives justice and that the suspect is apprehended without further delay.

They said no family should have to go through the pain of losing a loved one in such a violent manner.

Police said more details would be released as investigations progress.

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