By White Luhanga
A 23-year-old nurse of Mwami Adventist Hospital area in Chief Mpezeni’s Chiefdom in Chipata District has been found dead.
The deceased has been identified as BERNADETTE NKHOLONGO.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer ROBERTSON MWEEMBA confirmed the incident, saying it is believed to have occurred between 05:00 hours and 06:00 hours today, March 11, 2026.
Mr. MWEEMBA said earlier in the night the deceased, who was sleeping in the same room with her cousin ALICE ZULU, woke up and attempted to take her life using a chitenge but was stopped.
He said she reportedly made several other attempts during the night.
Mr. MWEEMBA said around 05:00 hours the deceased left the house and did not return, prompting family members to begin searching for her.
He said at about 06:00 hours, her uncle discovered her body lying in a shallow furrow in a nearby garden within the farm.
Police officers who visited the scene found a white pair of socks tightly tied around her neck, while the other sock was still worn on her leg.
Mr. MWEEMBA said no physical injuries were observed on the body.
Police have since opened investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, in a phone interview with ZNBC News, the uncle to the deceased, ROMANO NKHOLONGO, said BERNADETTE got married in April 2024 but soon told family members she did not want to remain in the marriage.
Mr. NKHOLONGO said after counselling and prayers she later informed the family that things had improved.
However, he said by mid-2025 she again complained about disturbing dreams and fears that some people wanted to harm her because of her marriage.
He said she also told relatives that she did not see value in her life because of problems she could not disclose.
Mr. NKHOLONGO added that after giving birth in November 2025, she at times spoke about harming herself and her child.
He further said on March 3, 2026, her husband travelled to Lusaka and advised her to stay with family members, but she continued experiencing troubling thoughts.
The exact circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear.
