Jigmi Wangdi

The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) is close to concluding its investigation into the death of a 24-year-old woman whose body was discovered at Khariphu, Khasadrapchu on August 14.

During the initial stages of the investigation, compelling evidence surfaced suggesting foul play in the woman’s death. Consequently, the RBP detained her 38-year-old boyfriend, suspecting his involvement in the incident.

Upon further investigation, it was found that the suspect had maintained a romantic relationship with the deceased for approximately six months and the suspect admitted to enduring repetitive harassment by the deceased in the later part of their relationship.

The suspect confessed indicating that a physical altercation transpired between the suspect and the deceased on the evening of August 13, a day prior to the discovery of her body.

The suspect claimed that the two often met near the bridge at Khariphu, among other locations and admitted to having a fit of rage and strangling the deceased. However, he claimed that his actions did not result in her death but that the woman then jumped from the bridge.

However, the forensic examination contradicted the suspect’s claim, identifying asphyxia caused by fatal neck pressure as the actual cause of death. Furthermore, the examination of the woman’s body revealed wounds indicative of injuries inflicted around the time of death.

The forensic report aligned with the suspect’s admission of strangulation, thereby corroborating his confession according to RBP officials.

The forensic analysis further established that while the body was retrieved from the river, no conclusive evidence of drowning as the cause of death was found. However, the report suggested that the possibility cannot be ruled out.

RBP officials said that the suspect eventually confessed to visiting Khariphu after police obtained circumstantial evidence from CCTV footage, which showed the suspect driving past the Thimphu gate in Babesa.

The RBP will forward the case to the Office of the Attorney General by next week.