A 20-year-old student of University of Cape Coast (UCC), Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, has been found dead at a beach in the Central Region after being reported missing by her family.
According to reports, Innocentia, a Level 200 student, was last seen on June 11, 2026, at Ayensu Plaza Hostel on the UCC campus. She was reportedly wearing a black dress when she left the hostel.
Her family subsequently launched a search and appealed to the public for assistance. Sadly, the search ended in tragedy when her body was discovered on June 12, 2026, at Hatchland Beach Resort near the university.
Family awaits autopsy results
A cousin of the deceased, confirmed the discovery in an interview with GhanaWeb, stating that the cause of death remains unknown.
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"The cause of death is unknown for now. I think there is going to be an autopsy on Monday, so until then, we do not actually know what caused her death. Her body was found at Hatchland Beach," he said.
He further disclosed that university authorities had contacted the family and assured them that investigations were underway.
Police confirm discovery
Chief Inspector Isaac Evans Ettie of the Police Public Affairs Unit in the Central Region confirmed the incident.
He explained that on June 13, 2026, a family member identified a photograph of the deceased at the police station.
"The Dean of Students was informed and, together with the police and family members, proceeded to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary, where the body was shown to the family and confirmed as that of Innocentia Avinu.
"The body was carefully inspected in the presence of the family members, and there were no physical marks on it. The Regional Crime Scene Team visited the scene and processed it. Meanwhile, the body awaits autopsy. The case is still under investigation," Inspector Ettie stated.
UCC District Police dismiss assault speculation
The UCC District Police Command has dismissed speculation that the student may have been physically attacked before her death.
In a statement issued on June 14, 2026, the command said officers who responded to the scene found no visible signs of assault on the body.
"The body was carefully inspected, and there were no marks of assault on it. Photographs were taken, and the body has since been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for identification and autopsy."
According to the UCC District Police Commander, ASP Abdul Abubakar, police received a report at approximately 6:00 a.m. on June 12 from residents of the Duakor community that a body had washed ashore.
Although blood was observed oozing from the deceased's nose, police said there were no visible injuries or signs suggesting foul play.
Later that evening, police received information indicating that the deceased was a UCC student. The Dean of Students' Affairs was subsequently contacted to assist with the identification process.
Investigators later confirmed her identity after her roommate, who shared a room with her at a private hostel in Amamoma, presented a photograph to police.
The roommate told investigators that Innocentia was last seen around 7:00 p.m. two days earlier after receiving a phone call and leaving the room. Concern grew when she failed to return, prompting friends and colleagues to begin searching for her.
On June 13, 2026, family members visited the police station and later identified the body at the mortuary. Police said observations made during the identification process were consistent with initial findings, as no visible injuries were detected.
Authorities say investigations remain ongoing, with autopsy results expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding her death.
Police are expected to obtain a coroner's form to facilitate a post-mortem examination aimed at establishing the exact cause of death.
Family rejects organ harvesting claims
The family of Innocentia Atsufui Avinu has denied social media claims suggesting that her body parts were harvested.
In a statement issued on June 14, 2026, the family described the reports as false and misleading.
"The family strongly condemns and categorically denies malicious reports circulated by certain online platforms and bloggers claiming that our daughter's body parts were harvested.
"These claims are completely false, fabricated, and deeply painful to the family. We urge the general public to disregard them entirely."
The family also appealed to the public to stop sharing images of the deceased.
"We appeal urgently to the public, social media users, and student communities to stop sharing, forwarding, or publishing photos of Innocentia's body ashore. We request that you grant her the dignity she deserves and protect our grieving family from further trauma by deleting such images immediately."
The family further noted that it is fully cooperating with police investigations and expressed gratitude to UCC management, students, friends, and members of the public for their support and prayers.
Relative invokes traditional curses
A traditional leader in Dzodze in the Volta Region, who identified herself as a sister of the deceased's mother, has reportedly invoked traditional curses on whoever may be responsible for Innocentia's death.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the grieving relative is seen performing traditional rites while expressing anguish over the incident.
She maintained that those responsible should not escape accountability, while also acknowledging that the circumstances surrounding the student's death remain unclear.
Education minister orders full investigation
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed UCC management to work closely with the Ghana Police Service to conduct a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the student's death.
In a statement issued on June 14, 2026, the Ministry of Education said it received news of the incident with deep sadness and extended condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and the university community.
The ministry also urged the public to allow investigators to carry out their work without interference as authorities seek to determine the exact circumstances leading to Innocentia Avinu's death.
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