US authorities have identified a Kenyan man as the suspect in the killing of a missing woman whose slain body was found in a garage at Logan International Airport on Wednesday night.
An arrest warrant was issued for Kevin Kangethe, who is suspected of killing Margaret Mbitu, 31.
Authorities said they have determined that Kangethe has since left the country on a flight to Kenya. Detectives with the State Police are working with Kenyan authorities to track him down.
“There is no threat to the public or to Logan Airport travelers,” authorities said in a press release on Thursday. “No further information is being released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.”
The killing does not appear to be a random act, police said.
“Evidence indicates that she was the victim of a homicide,” the release said, without detailing how she was killed.
Police did not say when the suspect’s flight departed or how long the vehicle had been parked in the garage.
Mbitu’s family first reported her missing on Monday. An investigation by law enforcement into her disappearance ensued.
A missing person poster states Mbitu was last seen leaving work in Halifax at about 11 p.m. Monday.
A death announcement for Mbitu, known by her family as “Maggie,” described the woman as “a wonderful daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt and dear friend to many.”
Police said the suspect and victim were partners, but offered few other details including a possible motive in the homicide. The investigation indicates that Kangethe and Mbitu knew each other and that the homicide was not a random act.
Mbitu was a Kenyan-American woman who reportedly worked in Halifax and lived in the nearby town of Whitman.
Police are continuing to investigate this mysterious death and trying to establish a timeline using surveillance footage to understand what happened to Mbitu after she left work on Monday.
Mbitu’s family said in a death announcement: “At this time, we regret to inform you that Maggie was found dead. Her death is an active criminal investigation and we have multiple local and state agencies working together.
“We are mourning the loss of our dear Maggie. A wonderful daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt and dear friend to many.”
“We ask that you continue to pray for the family,” the announcement concludes.
