Body of Missing Whitman Woman Found in Car at Logan Airport Garage; Suspect Flees to Kenya
BOSTON – Massachusetts State Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office announced on Thursday that they have discovered the body of missing Whitman woman Margaret “Maggie” Mbitu in a car at a Logan Airport garage. Investigators are now searching for her partner, Kevin Kangethe, of Lowell, who boarded a flight to Kenya from Boston.
I-Team sources have revealed that Mbitu was stabbed, and her body was found in the passenger seat of the car.
Authorities have obtained an arrest warrant for Kangethe, charging him with Mbitu’s murder. They are coordinating with Kenyan authorities to locate and apprehend him.
Mbitu was reported missing by her family on Monday after she failed to return home from work in Halifax. Worried coworkers shared a flyer on Facebook, urging the public to help in finding her.
The news of Mbitu’s death is devastating for family friend Jane Wambu, who regarded her as a daughter. Wambu expressed disbelief and sorrow, stating, “It’s just very, very unfortunate that somebody would choose to do what they have done. 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.”
The FBI has an international operations office in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. According to former FBI special agent Jennifer Coffindaffer, it is likely that agents are already coordinating with local authorities to track down Kangethe and bring him back to the United States to face charges. Coffindaffer mentioned that the United States has an extradition treaty with Kenya, which bodes well for cooperation between the two countries.
WBZ-TV’s I-Team initially reported that police issued a “be on the lookout” alert for the car on Wednesday evening and eventually discovered it parked in the Central Parking garage at the airport. Sources connected to the I-Team indicate that investigators are using video surveillance to establish a timeline of events.
Mbitu worked at BAMSI in Brockton, a nonprofit organization. In a statement, the organization expressed their grief over the loss, describing Mbitu as warm, caring, and loved by everyone she worked with.
Mbitu’s family is seeking justice and praying for closure. Wambu voiced their hopes, saying, “We’re just praying that the Lord may give the family peace and above everything that her culprit, this person may be arrested.”
The investigation into Mbitu’s murder continues, with authorities working diligently to bring Kangethe to justice.