Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, a 20-year-old student of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), who was reported missing last week, has been found dead on the beach. Miss Avinu was a Level 200 Bachelor of Commerce, (Human Resource) student.
Her body was discovered at the Hutchland Beach area, near Duakor, in Cape Coast, about 12 hours after she was last seen by her hostel roommate.
According to the roommate, with whom she resided at a private hostel at Amamoma, a nearby community, Innocentia received a phone call, dressed casually, and left the room at about 7 p.m. on June 11, 2026.
According to the roommate, her colleagues became concerned when Innocentia did not return; consequently, efforts were made to trace her whereabouts throughout the following day, but these attempts proved unsuccessful.
This has prompted police investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Police say they received a report around 6 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026 from residents of the Duakor community indicating that a body had been washed ashore along the beach.
A preliminary police report indicates that when the body was examined at the beach scene, the police observed “no visible signs of physical injury.”
UCC’s statement
In a press release dated Sunday, June 14, 2026, issued by the Public Affairs Directorate, the University of Cape Coast (UCC) said the Police have initiated an investigation as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
According to the UCC District Police Commander, ASP Abdul Abubakar, the Police received a report at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, from residents of the Duakor Community indicating that a body had been washed ashore along the beach.
Upon receipt of the information, the Police promptly proceeded to the scene to verify the report.
Following preliminary examination at the scene, the police observed no visible signs of physical injury.
The body was subsequently conveyed to the mortuary at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) pending formal identification and further investigations.
As part of ongoing investigations, the Police received information later that evening suggesting that the deceased was a student of UCC.
In response, the Dean of Students’ Affairs was notified to assist with the identification process and related administrative procedures.
This line of inquiry was subsequently reinforced when the deceased’s roommate, with whom she resided in a private hostel at Amamoma, a nearby community to the University of Cape Coast, reported to the Police Station with a photograph, which aided in confirming the identity as Innocentia Atsufui Avinu.
The roommate recounted that the deceased had last been seen two days earlier, at about 7:00 p.m., when she received a phone call, dressed casually, and left the room.
She also indicated that colleagues became more concerned when Innocentia did not return.
Consequently, friends and colleagues made efforts to trace her whereabouts throughout the following day, but these attempts proved unsuccessful.
Subsequently, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, the family of the deceased visited the Police station and were escorted to the mortuary for identification.
The family confirmed the identity of the deceased, and observations made at the mortuary were consistent with the initial findings, as no physical injuries were detected on the body.
In light of these developments, ASP Abdul Abubakar indicated that the Police will, on Monday, June 15 2026, obtain a coroner’s form from the court to facilitate a post-mortem examination.
This procedure will enable a pathologist to determine the exact cause of death and provide further clarity on the case.
Meanwhile, the Police has assured the public that investigations are ongoing.
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