PHOTO: The house sealing and the main door to the apartment of the dead man
By Abraham K. Kollie, kollieabraham23@gmail.com
Upon entering the modest apartment, which contained two mattresses, investigators were met with a chilling sight. The body of Mr. Duowona was suspended by a rope attached to the bathroom ceiling.
GARMOMUE, LOWER M ARGIBI, Liberia–A quiet community along the RIA Highway has been shaken by an apparent suicide by a young man, plunging neighbors into mourning and raising questions about the isolation of urban migrants.
The body of Mr. Zubah Duowona, a Liberian man, was discovered hanging from the ceiling of his one-room apartment in the Garmomue Community, Ambush Curve, on the evening of Monday, July 6, 2026.
The grim discovery was made at approximately 1900 hours, following a report to the Liberia National Police. A team of officers from OPS-KENT, led by CSD Commander CIP. Abdulah Vafee Kosiah, responded to the scene.
A Detailed and Disturbing Scene
Upon entering the modest apartment, which contained two mattresses, investigators were met with a chilling sight. The body of Mr. Duowona was suspended by a rope attached to the bathroom ceiling.
Crime scene investigators meticulously documented the scene, recording the following key measurements
From the ceiling attachment point to the victim’s neck:41.5 inches
From the ceiling attachment point to the victim’s feet 106 inches
Distance from the victim’s feet to the floor: 3.9 inches
The deceased was last seen wearing a black tie-dye short jean trouser and a black long-sleeve shirt.
A Story of Friendship, Loss, and a Locked Door
The harrowing sequence of events began when the victim’s roommate, Mr. Joseph M.K. Kokolo, returned home after a three-week absence. Mr. Kokolo had left for his father’s funeral on June 15 and returned on July 6 at about 1000 hours.
Finding the apartment locked and without a key, Mr. Kokolo sought out his uncle, Mr. Massa Siaffa, who worked downstairs. Mr. Siaffa informed him he hadn’t seen Mr. Duowona since morning. Mr. Kokolo waited with his uncle until work ended at 1700 hours. It was then that Mr. Siaffa provided a spare key.
In a twist that would lead directly to the tragedy, Mr. Kokolo discovered the door could not be opened from the outside. Alarmed, he and his uncle knocked repeatedly, receiving no answer. They alerted the Paramount Chief, Mr. Musa Rogers.
Fearing the worst, the trio decided to force entry by damaging a section of the ceiling from outside. Mr. Kokolo, the roommate, was authorized to climb through the opening.
“Through the bathroom doorway, I saw Zubah hanging,” a distraught Mr. Kokolo reportedly told investigators. He immediately descended and informed the Paramount Chief. Another individual entered to confirm the report, and the tragic news was verified.
Paramount Chief Musa Rogers ordered the scene secured and immediately contacted the Commissioner and the Liberia National Police.
A Harsh Reality of Urban Life
The investigation has highlighted the precarious situation of many young Liberians who migrate to the city in search of opportunity. According to a friend of the deceased, Mr. Abel Buda Forkpah, Mr. Duowona was seeking employment. Mr. Forkpah had introduced him to Mr. Massa Siaffa, who became his “stranger father” in the community.
Mr. Siaffa told police he has no knowledge of the deceased’s relatives, stating that Mr. Duowona only informed him he came from Lofa County. This revelation underscores the profound isolation of Mr. Duowona may have felt in his final days.
Body Released Pending Family Notification
The investigation, led by OPS-KENT Insp. Wesseh D. Jah, has resolved to release the remains of Mr. Zubah Duowona to Paramount Chief Musa Rogers.
The two men have requested permission to sign for the body on behalf of the community, pending the arrival of the deceased’s relatives from Lofa County.
Authorities have not yet established a clear motive for the apparent suicide, but the case serves as a stark reminder of the hidden struggles that can plague individuals far from their family and ancestral homes. Photographs of the deceased and the crime scene have been attached to the official police report.
Meanwhile, the investigation Is ongoing.