Bukinanyana : mysterious death of a 40-year-old woman, three people arrested

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, March 10, 2026 — The lifeless body of 40-year-old Béatrice Mpawenimana was discovered on Monday, March 9, in her home in Kibati villagel, Masango zone, Bukinanyana district, in Bujumbura province, western Burundi. While initial findings suggest possible suicide, neighbors and some family members favor the theory of a disguised murder. A police investigation is underway.

Béatrice Mpawenimana’s body was found around 5:00 p.m. inside her bedroom. According to information gathered from local administrative authorities, the victim had recently been living in the main town of Kayanza district, in Butanyerera province (north). However, she regularly returned to Kibati village to take care of the family’s agricultural work. Her husband reportedly traded livestock in the Kayanza district.

According to the same sources, Béatrice Mpawenimana arrived in the village on Saturday, March 7. Her body was discovered two days later, on Monday, March 9, inside her bedroom.

Initial findings indicate that a rope was found around her neck, suggesting suicide. However, this version is disputed by several neighbors. They believe the victim was likely killed before the rope was placed around her neck to make it appear as though she had been hanged.

An investigation has been launched and three people have been arrested.

On the morning of Tuesday, March 10, officers from the judicial police went to the scene to begin their investigation. Three people living near the victim’s home were arrested for questioning.

The body of Béatrice Mpawenimana was transferred to Ndora Hospital for an autopsy before being released to her family for burial.

According to family sources, this tragedy comes in a particularly disturbing context : over the past year, four members of the same family have reportedly been found dead in similar and suspicious circumstances.

The victim’s family is calling on the investigating authorities to do everything possible to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of what they consider to be a murder.

For their part, the administrative authorities, in collaboration with the police, are urging the public to remain calm and are asking the victim’s relatives to refrain from any attempts at mob justice while awaiting the results of the investigation.

Since the beginning of 2026, the province of Bujumbura has already recorded the discovery of approximately forty bodies. Last year, it was already among the deadliest provinces in the small east African nation, according to a report by the Iteka League, a pioneering Burundian human rights organization now forced to continue its activities from exile.