According to Ntchisi police spokesperson, Gladson M'bumpha, the suspect on the run is Yona Daniel of Mdzeka Village whereas the deceased is Leya Medson of Chipacha Village, both from the area of Traditional Authority Chilooko in Ntchisi. M’bumpha says the incident happened on Sunday July 15 2018 in the district.

“Police investigations indicate that the suspect married the deceased's mother, Rabecca Luka, 26, on August 29 2017 and found her with two children. While living as family, the couple separated in June this year due to some issues they failed to agree,” said police spokesperson.

M’bumpha added: “It is alleged that the suspect on Sunday July 15, 2018 arrived at the house of his ex-wife but did not talk to each other instead the wife rushed to a house of a community policing chairperson to inform him about the presence of the suspect in the village.

“In the absence of the deceased's mother, the suspect cheated the deceased to accompany him to buy her sweets at a nearby shop. He took the deceased to unknown destination and never returned. Efforts were made to check him and the deceased in all areas but to no avail. On Monday July 16 2018 at about 6:00 hours the deceased was found dead and beheaded far away from her home and dumped,” he explained.

Police visited the scene and the head of the deceased was found burnt, her neck and private parts removed.

The dead body was taken to Ntchisi District Hospital where post-mortem was conducted which revealed that death was due to excessive loss of blood due to decapitation and open wounds (genitalia).

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to arrest the suspect.