A 19-year-old girl was found dead in her Lusignan apartment on the East Coast of Demerara on Thursday morning in what appears to be an apparent suicide. However, after her passing, several individuals have turned to social media to express doubts about the presumed ‘suicide’.
According to Police reports, Malinda Fiona Niewenkirk, an unemployed teenager, was discovered dead between 01:14h and 04:00h on Thursday morning. She resided in a six-unit, two-storey apartment building, all of which were occupied.
Reports are that at about 22:00h the previous night, a 36-year-old man reportedly ended his relationship with the teen and left her apartment. He later claimed that Malinda contacted him via WhatsApp around 01:30h, threatening self-harm. He claimed that he attempted to console and support her through text messages, but her responses ceased.
Despite numerous calls and texts, the 19-year-old did not reply. Concerned, the man reported the situation at the Vigilance Police Station. Accompanied by the Police, he returned to the apartment where the teen’s body was discovered.
Emergency Medical Technicians from Melanie responded and she was pronounced dead. Her body was then taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination on Monday.
Following news of the teen’s death, several persons who knew the teen took to social media voicing suspicions of foul play.
CCTV footage shared on social media captured a vehicle leaving the teen’s apartment area at 02:28h.
A post was also shared on her WhatsApp status around the same time the vehicle was seen leaving the apartment. The status read, “Lord, forgive me for what I am about to do.”
The teen’s family, however, has since said they do not believe that she committed suicide and called on Police to conduct a thorough probe.
On Friday, the GPF Public Relations Department stated that the teen’s lover was interviewed, and his phone was examined. Both the landlord and neighbours were also interviewed.
The investigation, however, remains ongoing as Police await the result of the post-mortem examination. (G9)
