Kevin Kang'ethe stabbed girlfriend 10 times in face and neck then left body at the airport; US court told

Kang'ethe was presented before the court for a hearing after being extradited to the US from Kenya, where he had run to hiding.

The prosecution told the court that on October 31, 2023, Mbitu's body was found in an SUV at Boston Logan International Airport during a 'missing person' search.

Kang'ethe is said to have taken a cab ride from his home in Lolwell to Mbitu's workplace and met her leaving the office. He then drove Mbitu to her place using her car which is said to have been registered under his name. 

It was during the drive back home when Kang'ethe attacked Mbitu with a knife, stabbing her 10 times on her face and neck.

Prosecutors further told the court that Kang'ethe even answered two phone calls from family and coworkers asking of her whereabouts. He told them that she had suffered an injury and was unable to answer the phone.

He later disposed of the phone in a dumpster in Chelse, which was used by detectives to track him down and collect surveillance video.

Thirty hours later, Mbitu's body was found flipped face down in the car's front seat which was reclined. The prosecutors said that the body was covered with items not to raise suspicions.

Appearing in court, Mbitu's family expressed optimism in justice being finally served even as they narrated their pain in the loss of their kin.

Mbitu's cousin Mary Kinyariro, who spoke on behalf of the victim's sister, said that they will not tire until the suspect is held culpable.

"It has been a long journey coming. Today gives us hope and represents a step forward toward justice," she said as quoted by NBC Boston.

"We will continue to fight until this coward is locked up and never sees light again or gets to harm any other family and take their loved one away from them."

The family also recalled not just their loss, but who Mbitu was in life.

Another cousin Joel Muhoro remembered Mbitu as a kind and generous woman who always shared her joy everywhere she went.

"We think about her dreams of being a business owner, of becoming a nurse practitioner to help care for others and we remember the hole left in our lives," he said.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said that the genesis of the court proceedings acted as a beacon of hope toward getting justice.

"She was deeply loved, she was a caregiver, a nurse beloved by every patient that she served, a beautiful soul and a wonderful daughter and a loving sister," said Hayden.

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has stated that Kang'ethe pleaded not guilty to the murder charges and was further denied bail 

The case is set to be mentioned on November 5.