A 23-year-old woman was found dead below the multi-purpose trail in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park in Thimphu on October 12, two days after she was reported missing.

The deceased was a third year student at the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health (FNPH).

According to FNPH’s matron, Leki Chezom, she was a kidney patient and was discharged from referral hospital recently.

On October 9 evening, she and her male friend had gone for dinner at her younger sister’s place in Motithang. After dinner, she had left for her hostel saying that she wants to rest.

The next day, around 2pm, she called the friend and told him that she is in the last stage and asked him to look after her father who is not well. She then switched off her phone.

Her roommate informed the matron when she did not come to room the following day as well, who then informed FNPH officials.

On October 11, a dessup and his family found her ID card and other documents in a canopy in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, who later posted it on facebook as lost and found. Some students of FNPH saw it and alerted the officials.

A search began involving the police, FNPH staff and students. Her body was found the next day below the multi-purpose trail. The body was handed over to her parents after the police and forensic official’s examination.

Thimphu referral hospital’s forensic specialist, Dr Norbu, said no injuries were found on the body and they estimate she had been dead for 24 to 48 hours.

“We cannot say if she killed herself by consuming poison or drugs because of lack of equipment to test in the country,” Dr Norbu said.

However, a blood sample has been given to police to send it to India for a test.

Dechen Tshomo