US Police Launch Manhunt For Kenyan Who Left Lover Dead At Airport With Stab Wounds

Police in the United States (US) have launched a manhunt for Kevin Kang'ethe, a 40-year-old Kenyan suspected to have played a role in the death of his 31-year-old lover, Margaret Mbitu.

According to multiple US media reports, Mbitu was found dead in a car on Wednesday, November 1 inside a car at Logan International Airport in Boston, USA, 48 hours after she was reported missing.

Massachusetts State Police alleged that Kang'ethe had murdered his lover and reportedly booked a flight to Kenya from Boston following the incident.

Mbitu, a professional nurse, was reportedly found with stab wounds on the body inside the man's car parked at a garage at the airport.

A photo of the late Margaret Mbitu. /FACEBOOK

She was last seen alive at her workstation in Halifax late Monday, October 30, with her family and colleagues proceeding to publish flyers bearing her photo and basic information on Facebook, seeking her whereabouts.

According to CBS News, police have since prepared an arrest warrant for Kang'ethe, charging him with the 31-year-old's murder, and are working with Kenyan authorities to find him.

The American Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has an international operations office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. Former FBI special agent Jennifer Coffindaffer revealed that it's likely its agents are already communicating with local authorities to track down Kang'ethe and extradite him to face his charges.

"The United States has an extradition treaty with Kenya, so things look very good in terms of Kenyan authorities cooperating," Coffindaffer told the New York-based publication.

Family and friends of the deceased were yet to come to terms with the tragic demise.

"It's just very, very, unfortunate that somebody would choose to do what they have done," family friend Jane Wambu said.

"It's definitely such a great loss to the parents, to her relatives, and to the community at large and I would say to the nation."  

Mbitu, who worked as a nurse at BAMSI, a non-profit organisation, was reported missing on Monday and was last seen leaving her workplace while driving a white SUV. 

48 hours later, her body was found inside a car in Logan Airport's central parking lot. Detectives have since established that the car is registered to Kang'ethe, who is the primary suspect in the case. 

Massachusetts State Police however assured the public that the incident does not pose a threat to visitors at Logan Airport, as both Mbitu and Kang'ethe knew each other.