By Vicky Baunke in Goroka, EHP
An eight-year-old Grade Three student from Kama Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School has been found dead in Goroka, with Eastern Highlands Police investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent John Kale, said the child, identified as Caro Jeffrey, was found inside a residence opposite Kama Seventh-day Adventist Church at Red Corner, One Mile, Goroka, on Friday, 17 July.
According to the police Major Incident Brief, the child was wearing her school uniform when she was discovered.
Chief Superintendent Kale said officers from the Provincial Homicide Squad attended the scene and commenced investigations.
Preliminary police investigations indicate the child is believed to have died between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Police allege the body remained inside the house before officers were alerted and recovered it later that afternoon.
Chief Superintendent Kale said the cause of death has not yet been established and will be determined following a post-mortem examination.
Police have taken one male suspect into custody to assist with investigations. Chief Superintendent Kale said the suspect remains in police custody while investigators continue gathering evidence.
He said police will determine the appropriate charges following the completion of investigations.
The deceased was later identified by members of her immediate family.
Chief Superintendent Kale extended his condolences to the family and appealed to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward and report it to police.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time. Police are committed to conducting a thorough investigation and ensuring the matter is dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.
Police investigations are continuing.
Meanwhile, police in Goroka are also investigating the suicide of a girl between the ages of 13 to 14 whose body was found along the road in Kefamo yesterday.
