BBC Worker Murdered; Intruder Falls to Death in Nairobi Hotel Incident

A BBC worker named Kate Mitchell was murdered in her hotel room. An intruder was involved in her death and either fell or jumped from a high window. This happened in Nairobi, Kenya, and an inquest heard the details.

Kate suffered a head injury and was strangled. The incident occurred in November 2021. She worked for BBC Media Action as a project manager in Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Zambia. The organization promotes democratic reporting.

Kate was sent to Nairobi for safety after leaving Ethiopia due to the civil war there. She was found at her Ibis hotel, where an intruder got into her room and attacked her. The coroner shared limited information, stating that the man fell from the eighth floor and died.

A UK post-mortem found the cause of death to be a head injury and pressure on her neck. The coroner ruled it an unlawful killing. Kate’s brother, Pete Mitchell, spoke afterward, saying the family asks the Kenyan police for more answers.

The family also wants an inquest in Nairobi, hoping it might provide more information. Pete said they lack Kate’s personal items, including her laptop which is still missing. Further, Pete stated the Kenyan police are uncooperative and have not helped the investigation.

Pete paid tribute to his sister, calling her incredibly smart. He said that she loved her work in Africa and felt connected to its people. She was brave and dedicated to helping others, aiding people in refugee camps and prisons, and empowering people through media. She also loved life and was known for her fun spirit.