By By Contributing Writer
Todee Statutory District was plunged into grief on November 23 after a domestic argument reportedly over a mobile phone ended in the death of a young mother.
According to Town Chief John Sackie, 41-year-old Abraham Mator returned home from Kakata around 7 p.m., prompting neighbors to hear a commotion from his house in Mission Third Town. When residents rushed in, they discovered Esther David lying on the floor, unresponsive, with fluid coming from her mouth. She later succumbed to her injuries.
Eyewitnesses said the deadly altercation began after Mator refused to allow his wife to make a phone call. The struggle reportedly escalated into violence, tragically ending in her death. Community sources noted that Mator had a history of domestic abuse against Esther, who had recently undergone major surgery. She leaves behind a two-month-old infant.
Following the incident, the Town Chief, assisted by the suspect’s brother, escorted Mator into a nearby bush before handing him over to police. Authorities transferred him from Nyehn Police Station to Careysburg for questioning.
Residents, however, expressed frustration that police had not visited the crime scene nearly 24 hours after the killing, despite taking the suspect into custody. The body remains in the house, raising growing health concerns due to the odor, prompting family members to demand a full autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.
Tubmanville Commissioner Arzata Flomo condemned the killing as “heartbreaking,” particularly because Esther was a young mother recovering from surgery. She criticized police for failing to secure the scene promptly and commended the community watch team for their role in apprehending the suspect.
Flomo also highlighted the lack of a permanent police presence in the township of over 10,000 residents, which currently relies on unpaid volunteers to maintain order. She called on the Inspector General of Police to deploy officers immediately to Todee, citing rising insecurity and growing public frustration.
The tragic death of Esther David has left the Todee community in mourning, sparking calls for justice, better law enforcement, and stronger protections for vulnerable families in rural Montserrado.
