Court Sentences Man to Death for Killing Aunt in Lemi Kura District

Mintesinot Niggusie

A man has been sentenced to death by the Federal High Court Lideta Division Second Criminal Bench after being found guilty of killing his aunt following a domestic dispute in Addis Ababa, according to Addis Ababa Police.

The incident occurred in Lemi Kura Sub-City, Woreda 6, at a residential site known as Ika Site Block 705, House No. 59, where the victim, identified as 36-year-old Werqnesh Haile, lived and worked as a customs forwarding professional.

Police said the victim had been residing in the area for about four months when the suspect, identified as Shambel Mulugeta, moved in from outside the city after coming to stay with her.

The case dates back to September 27, 2024, when the victim returned home from work and later had dinner with the suspect. A dispute reportedly escalated in the evening, during which the suspect allegedly strangled her and caused her death.

Investigators said the suspect later dismembered the body and disposed of the remains in different locations, including a toilet, a construction excavation site and near a wall, before attempting to conceal the crime.

Residents alerted police after unidentified human remains were discovered in the area, prompting an investigation by the Addis Ababa Police Commission’s criminal investigation division. Police said the victim was identified within hours and the suspect was arrested shortly after.

Following forensic and witness-based investigations, police recovered evidence and located additional remains based on information provided by the suspect. The body was later handed over to the family for burial.

Authorities said the investigation was completed with both physical and documentary evidence before the case was forwarded to the public prosecutor, leading to formal charges.

The court ultimately found Shambel Mulugeta guilty and issued a death sentence.