A 32-year-old Kenyan man, Nobert Matara, has been arrested in the United States following the discovery of human remains of a woman in his vehicle.
The remains have been identified as belonging to 31-year-old Tracy Nyariki, a Delaware resident reported missing days before the arrest.
Nyariki reported missing
The Aberdeen Police Department confirmed that Nyariki, who lived in Newark, Delaware, was reported missing after failing to show up at work for several days.
Her employer filed a report, prompting authorities to issue a Gold Alert, a system used in the United States to locate missing persons.
A search of her residence at the Village of Kent Apartments in Bear raised suspicions about her safety. Authorities noted several unusual circumstances that heightened concerns.
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Discovery of human remains
Matara was identified as a person of interest in the case and was tracked to Aberdeen, Maryland.
On Saturday, December 21, officers from the Aberdeen Police Department, acting on a request from the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware, located Matara's vehicle.
"Officers responded to the 1100 block of S. Philadelphia Blvd and located the homicidal male," read a statement from the Aberdeen Police Department.
A subsequent investigation revealed dismembered human remains in the vehicle, leading to Matara’s immediate arrest.
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Charges and further investigation
Matara is currently detained in Maryland, awaiting extradition to Delaware, where he faces first-degree murder charges.
Authorities indicated that additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
"He is in jail in Maryland awaiting extradition to Delaware on first-degree murder charges," the statement confirmed.
Neighbours in the area expressed shock at the developments. "I saw the police here since Saturday, so I just figured it was something regular," said Nyier Rickes, a resident near Nyariki's apartment and who spoke to a U.S. media outlet.
While details regarding the nature of the relationship between Matara and Nyariki remain unclear, police believe the two were acquaintances.