Police in Australia are investigating the death of a 24-year-old Kenyan chef that occurred under unclear circumstances.
In a statement, the South Australia Police (Sapol) said Caleb Leriano was found dead at Morphett Vale, a large family-friendly suburb in Adelaide, South Australia. Initially, the death was reported as a road accident after the car hit a pole.
“At about 1:30am on Wednesday, March 11, police and emergency services were called to Golflands View following reports that a BMW sedan had collided with a stobie pole,” Sapol reported about the incident.
The statement on their website further explained that Leriano, the only occupant, was discovered with life-threatening injuries and tragically died at the scene.
Leriano, a graduate of Kenya Utalii College, worked as a disability care chef in Australia.
Later, however, the death was reclassified as a crime after it emerged that his injuries resulted from an assault prior to the crash.
Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Branch, who are looking into the murder, say they have apprehended a man in Perth, the capital of Western Australia.
The 22-year-old man is scheduled to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court later where an application will be submitted for his extradition to South Australia to face a murder charge.
It is believed that the Kenyan chef was assaulted before he tragically died in the accident. Australian authorities describe his passing as mysterious, as the injuries found on his body were inconsistent with those typically associated with a vehicle crash.
As part of the inquiry, the detectives searched two homes, as well as a local park, with assistance from personnel of the South Australian State Emergency Service.
Caleb Leriano's red 2003 BMW.
Photo credit: Pool
Authorities believe that Leriano drove his red 2003 BMW to the area near Sapphire Reserve in Morphett Vale for a scheduled meeting in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The specifics of this meeting and what transpired are currently under investigation.
Detectives have indicated that the attack likely was not random, and they are looking into the reasons behind the meeting.
South Australia police are reportedly seeking CCTV footage from the area recorded during the time of the incident to aid their investigation.
Authorities urged residents around Sapphire Road and nearby streets to contact Crime Stoppers if they have CCTV or dashcam footage from 12:30am to 1:30am on Wednesday, March 11.
In mourning his loss, his family described him as a cheerful young man who moved to Australia in pursuit of his dreams. His death occurred just days after another Kenyan, Edna Mmbali, was found dead in the UK after going missing. Her body was discovered in a river on March 8.
Mmbali, a 31-year-old student pursuing a Master's degree at York St John University, was last seen on February 1 when she went for a walk from her home in Wraysbury, Berkshire.
After failing to contact her regular connections, her family in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, reported their concerns for her safety.
UK’s Thames Valley Police described Edna as 5'5" tall, last seen wearing a long fur-lined khaki coat, knee-high boots, and glasses. While the cause of her death is still under investigation, authorities are working to uncover the details surrounding the incident.
