By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE, June 30, 2026 — A post-mortem examination has ruled out natural causes in the death of three-month-old Priscilla Njowera of Chikanga Phase 2, with medical findings indicating that the infant died from mechanical asphyxia, a development that has intensified police investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The examination, conducted on June 29, concluded that the baby’s death was not from natural causes.
According to the post-mortem report seen by The Wasu Post, “foul play is suspected” and “the death was not due to natural causes.” The report also recommends that “police investigate.”
Medical findings indicate that shortly before her death, the infant had been crying before eventually falling asleep.
The report states: “The baby was crying and later fell asleep. [She] was later found lifeless where she was put to sleep on [a] sofa with white fluid on the nose.”
Doctors recorded the cause of death as mechanical asphyxia.
Mechanical asphyxia occurs when a person’s breathing is physically blocked or restricted, preventing enough oxygen from reaching the body. The condition can result from a number of different circumstances. However, the post-mortem report does not indicate exactly how the obstruction occurred in this case. That determination will now depend on police investigations, forensic evidence and witness statements.
The findings mark a significant turning point in a case that has shocked residents of Chikanga and sparked widespread public concern.
Priscilla’s father, who spoke to The Wasu Post before the post-mortem examination, said he was devastated by the loss of his daughter and vowed to pursue justice until the circumstances surrounding her death were fully established.
The neighbour who had been looking after the child at the time of the incident has consistently denied any involvement in the baby’s death, maintaining that she had only been assisting the family and had no intention of harming the infant.
As of Tuesday morning, police had not yet released an official statement on the post-mortem findings, and no arrests had been announced.
Family members are expected to lay Priscilla Njowera to rest later today as investigators continue working to establish exactly what happened.
The Wasu Post will continue to monitor the investigation and provide updates as more information becomes available.