Autopsy of Julie Wangui

Julie Wangui died under mysterious circumstances in custody at a women's prison in Kenya on July 11, 2025. She was arrested on July 7, 2025, during the Saba Saba protests, allegedly after being confronted by protesters on her way home. She was charged with criminal damage. Julie was released on 50,000 KSh bail but remained in custody because her family could not raise the money. She reportedly collapsed in prison, was transferred to the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, and later to the Cottage Hospital, where she underwent surgery and died on July 12, 2025. The initial autopsy results, dated July 15, 2025, were inconclusive, revealing a cerebral hemorrhage but no direct evidence of trauma. State pathologist Peter Ndegwa requested two weeks for further tests, including toxicology and histology, to determine the cause of death. A second autopsy, released on July 29, 2025, concluded that she died of natural causes due to a burst blood vessel. However, her family denied this, claiming a cover-up and accusing authorities of withholding medical records. The family, supported by protests in Nanyuki's Likii, claims the executor of the estate claims Julie was assaulted in custody, possibly with a blunt instrument, causing head trauma. A fellow inmate, Darwin Wangechi, claimed at her funeral on August 4, 2025, that she was assaulted by a Criminal Investigation Department officer. The family reported delays in medical care and inconsistencies in hospital treatment. Her grandmother, Susan Kirigo Rienye, demanded justice. The National Police Service and Laikipia East District Police Commander, Daniel Kitavi, denied the allegations of assault, saying no formal complaint had been filed. Her death, along with the deaths of others such as blogger Albert Ojwang, sparked outrage and protests, raising concerns about police brutality and extrajudicial killings. Kenya's National Human Rights Commission found that 17 of 38 autopsies of deaths related to the Saba Saba protests indicated gunshot wounds. However, Julie's case remains unresolved. The investigation is ongoing, and the family continues to demand transparency and accountability. @https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/114113-nanyuki-residents-threaten-protest-tuesday-over-death-julie-njoki @https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sso/?content=eyJpdiI6IlZTdGhGbVkrSDZnbExxWjlWN25zU2c9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiM1J6QXJOdzdZNzc3SUpTOU1jRmk5UzZtWFQrV0FmV2oxd3NFV3lOMTlwN1pTVmQyMW5UYk84YXJHQTRiVHZGTnFiZFNVTGg4UWVqM1NOTm5JRlZCZTR5SWd6ZHpqb0dlZDJVdVU5Y3RNUW89IiwibWFjIjoiOGRhMGMzMWQ2Nzk1ZTUzY2E4MGJjMjJiMTc1YmI5YTM4ZDg3YTBjZGI4MWNlMWI0NGUwMjBhODgyYjA5NDA3MiIsInRhZyI6IiJ9 @https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/114643-family-julie-wangui-rejects-findings-after-autopsy-reveals-she-died-natural-causes @https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2025-07-14-wangais-death-grandmother-demands-justice @https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-07-16-pathologists-autopsy-on-julia-wangui-inconclusive @https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/114643-family-julie-wangui-rejects-findings-after-autopsy-reveals-she-died-natural-causes @https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/laikipia/julia-wangui-death-family-rejects-autopsy-report-accuse-state-of-cover-up-5135056 @https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-07-16-pathologists-autopsy-on-julia-wangui-inconclusive @https://nation.africa/kenya/news/police-officer-linked-to-julia-wangui-s-death-after-saba-saba-protests-5143552 @https://standardmedia.co.ke/central/article/2001525608/pain-and-protest-as-kin-seek-justice-for-julia-wangui @https://www.tuko.co.ke/people/family/596185-twist-father-nanyuki-woman-killed-police-custody-turns-area-chief/ @https://www.tuko.co.ke/people/family/596281-julia-wangui-govt-pathologist-shares-family-didnt-autopsy-results/ @https://www.tuko.co.ke/people/family/596185-twist-father-nanyuki-woman-killed-police-custody-turns-area-chief/