Mystery surrounds woman's death in Calabar church as police await autopsy

Body discovered in Calabar church

Mystery has continued to surround the death of a woman, Blessing Ayebe, whose lifeless body was discovered inside the toilet facility of a church in the Ikot Ansa area of Calabar Municipality, Cross River State.

Police said an autopsy will determine the cause of death, while the Cross River State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident. The deceased's remains have been deposited at the morgue of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) for preservation and forensic examination.

Naijachronoscope gathered that Ayebe was found dead at about 9 p.m. last Monday, several days after she was declared missing by members of her family.

Timeline of her disappearance

According to findings, the deceased had attended a church service at the Presbyterian Church, Ikot Ansa Parish, on Saturday, June 28, but failed to return home, raising concerns among relatives.

Her disappearance was reportedly first noticed by her son, Saviour Ayebe, who alerted other family members. Her daughter, Peace Ayebe, subsequently reported the matter at the Federal Housing Police Station in Calabar on Tuesday, July 1.

Investigators are now working to piece together the events between the church service she attended and the discovery of her body inside the church's toilet facility.

Police investigation and autopsy

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said detectives were investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman's death.

The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy to determine the cause of death.

— ASP Sunday Eitokpah, Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Police Command

No suspect has been identified or arrested at this stage, as there is presently no evidence of foul play.

— ASP Sunday Eitokpah, Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Police Command

He said investigators were continuing their work as the command awaits forensic findings.

Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated as they unfold.

— ASP Sunday Eitokpah, Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Police Command

Unanswered questions remain

Naijachronoscope learned that investigators are relying on the outcome of the autopsy to establish the cause and possible time of death, as well as other circumstances surrounding the incident.

As of the time of filing this report, police authorities had yet to determine how the deceased died, when the death occurred, or how long her body remained inside the church's toilet facility before it was discovered.

The case remains under investigation, with the autopsy expected to guide the next steps in the police inquiry.