The University of Cape Coast community is in mourning following the tragic death of a 20-year-old student whose body was discovered just two days after she was reported missing.
Innocentia Avinu, a Level 200 Bachelor of Commerce student pursuing Human Resource Management, was found dead at Hatchland Beach Resort in Cape Coast on June 12, 2026. The discovery brought a devastating end to a desperate search that had gripped both the university community and the victim’s family.
Final Movements
Ms Avinu was last seen alive on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Ayensu Plaza Hostel on the UCC campus. According to friends, she had informed them she was leaving campus to visit a young man she intended to meet outside the university premises. The young woman was reportedly dressed in a black dress at the time she left the hostel — an outfit that would later become a key detail in efforts to identify her.
When she failed to return to her hostel, friends and family grew increasingly alarmed. Repeated attempts to reach her by phone proved unsuccessful, and she was officially reported missing to police on Friday, June 12.
Grim Discovery
The breakthrough in the case came under tragic circumstances. The UCC District Police Command received a report at approximately 3:15 a.m. on June 12 that an unidentified female body had been discovered on the beach.
Officers dispatched to the scene found Ms Avinu lying face down, with blood oozing from her nose. A preliminary examination revealed no visible marks of assault or external injuries. In a detail that has left investigators puzzled, the body was reportedly dressed only in underwear and a bra. Her mobile phone was also missing, further complicating efforts to reconstruct her final hours.
The body was photographed and conveyed to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary, where it would remain pending formal identification and autopsy.
Official Identification
The crucial breakthrough came on June 13, when a family member visited the police station and identified photographs of the deceased as those of Ms Avinu. The UCC Dean of Students subsequently joined police investigators and family members at the mortuary, where the identification was formally confirmed.
A cousin of the deceased, Eric‑Sylvera Kwadzogah Avorgbedor, confirmed the discovery in an interview with GhanaWeb, stating that the cause of death remains unknown for now. “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,” he said.
A further examination of the body conducted in the presence of relatives revealed no physical injuries or signs of violence — a finding that has only deepened the mystery surrounding her death.
Investigation Underway
Chief Inspector Isaac Evans Ettie of the Police Public Affairs Unit in the Central Region confirmed the incident. The Central Regional Crime Scene Management Team has since visited and processed the location where the body was found as part of ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, the body awaits an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, with the procedure expected to take place on Monday, June 15.
Police have assured the public that investigations are continuing to establish the facts surrounding the incident. Investigators are expected to examine all available evidence and interview potential witnesses as part of efforts to determine what happened prior to the student’s disappearance.
University Response
Speaking in an exclusive interview on June 13, UCC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Dr Kwabena Antwi‑Konadu, said the university is collaborating fully with the police to ensure a comprehensive report before issuing an official statement. He added that management is in touch with the police to provide the public with full details once investigations are complete.
Community Mourns
The tragic development has sparked grief across the UCC community, with students and staff taking to social media to express shock and condolences to Ms Avinu’s family. Many have also called for enhanced security measures around the university and surrounding communities.
As of press time, no arrests have been made. The Ghana Police Service has appealed to anyone with information regarding Ms Avinu’s movements between the evening of June 11 and the early morning of June 12 to come forward. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the UCC District Police Command.
A full autopsy report is expected in the coming days, which may shed light on the exact cause of death. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
