Missing Mental Patient Found Dead in Zambia

The decomposed body of a Zambian 35-year-old man identified as Mbwenda Mwilu, a known mental patient from Libumbu Village in Sekute Chiefdom, has been discovered in his makeshift shelter nearly a month after he was last seen.

According to Southern Province Deputy Commissioner of Police Moono Namalongo, Mwilu was found on 15th May 2025 by his 66-year-old father, Timothy Mwilu, after weeks of unexplained absence failed to raise immediate concern due to his history of independent movement.

Mwilu, who began experiencing mental illness at the age of 31, had lived with his father but often returned to a self-built shelter near Sililo Village, where other relatives resided. Despite his condition, his family had grown accustomed to his intermittent absences.

Police investigations revealed that Mwilu had stopped taking his prescribed medication, leading to a visible decline in his health. When his father checked on him, he found the body in an advanced state of decomposition.

“We estimate that he died about a month ago,” Namalongo stated, adding that no foul play is suspected and the death is believed to be due to natural causes.

BytaFMZambia