Monrovia – The burial of the 15-year old girl who was reportedly raped to death in New Georgia was characterized by tears and grief.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo,
The burial was accompanied by officials of the Liberia National Police Homicide division and representatives from the office of the first lady, Madam Clar Weah.
The mother Cameil Moore was heard saying “You gone too soon, I will not forget you my struggling child.”
Prior to the burial, Madam Weah donated food and assorted items along with an undisclosed amount to the family.
The body of 15-year-old Vivian Wreh was reportedly found lifeless with a deep cut on her back.
The victim had gone out with her friends for a party at Club 88 and was found the next morning dead.
Rape is one of many violence against women in Liberia that is prevalent. According to the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection’s first quarter statistics, three girls between the ages 13 and 17 years, while 220 girls were and raped in Montserrado County.
Of the total cases recorded during the quarter under review, rape accounts for 61% and has significantly increased by 5% as compared to the first quarter 2017 report.
The Ministry of Gender Children Social Protection Gender-Based Violence first quarter data indicated that 42% of the survivors were between 13 -17 years, 25% were those between the aged 6 – 12 years, and mostly suffered Physical assault/Domestic violence, Gang rape, Rape and Sexual assault.
Meanwhile, Saah Joseph 21, the lone suspect has been sent to court on the charge of murder and the charge sheet stated that he “strangulated Vivian while attempting to have sexual intercourse with her”.
Police said the victim was also seen with a man identified as Samuel Johnson, a Nigerian national who her mother had warned to stay away from her.
Samuel was later questioned but was not linked to the incident.
The investigation further revealed that the police found traceable evidence such as hair fibers and blood substance found on the fence, extended the crime scene from out of the fence.
The compound is owned by George Brown, who is presently in the United States and it’s being taken-care-of by Alfred and Helen Thonkolie. The pair was also questioned by police.
The report shows that two males slept on the compound on the night of the incident, December 13, 2018. They were Alfred and Joseph, the steel bender who fled the scene after the incident.
Investigators intercepted him on December 21, 2018, after a tip-off given to the Roberts International Airport police detachment.
Joseph had previously told investigators that Thonkolie was the suspect because he had possession of the keys for all the gate during late night hours.