Cameroon: bishop’s death seen as likely murder, not suicide

June 07, 2017

The death of a Catholic bishop in Cameroon, originally viewed by police as a likely suicide, is now being investigated as a probable murder.

The body of Bishop Jean-Marie Benoit Balla of Bafia was discovered in a river near Yaounde, Cameroon, on June 2. He had been missing for several days.

The bishop’s body was discovered not far from a bridge where his car had been found, with a note saying, “I am in the water.” Police initially believed that this was a suicide note, but as the investigation unfolded, began questioning whether the bishop himself had written the note.

An autopsy showed clear signs of a violent death, and no evidence of death by drowning, according to local media reports.

 

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Further information:

• Bischof von Bafia wurde wahrscheinlich ermordet (Katholisch)
• Cameroon: missing bishop’s body found in river (CWN, 6/6)