Editor's Review

She was pronounced dead at 9:29 PM by Justice of the Peace Nicola James.

A Kenyan man has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of his spouse in Killeen, Texas, USA. 

In a statement on Saturday, February 22, the Killeen Police Department identified the suspect as 42-year-old John Gitau Mwangi, who was taken into custody at Fort Cavazos following the tragic incident.  

According to the Police Department, officers responded to a welfare check at a home in the 3300 block of Lakecrest Drive at approximately 7:16 PM on Friday, February 21.

Upon arrival, they discovered 37-year-old Esther Gitau with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at 9:29 PM by Justice of the Peace Nicola James. 

Additionally, two children were located inside the residence, unaware of what occurred but were safe at the time of the welfare check.

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Following the discovery, detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit launched an investigation and obtained an arrest warrant for Mwangi, who was later found on Fort Cavazos.

File image of John Gitau

"Detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant for the victim’s spouse, 42-year-old John Mwangi. The suspect was later located on Fort Cavazos. He is currently in the Killeen City Jail. Detectives believe this was a domestic violence-related incident and there is no danger to the public," the PD said.

The Criminal Investigation Division Robbery-Homicide Unit is actively investigating the case.

This incident comes nearly six months after Kenyan Kevin Kangethe was extradited from Nairobi to Boston to face first-degree murder charges in the United States. 

Kangethe is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, whose body was discovered in a car at Boston's Logan International Airport.

Following the discovery, an arrest warrant was issued for Kangethe but investigators later learnt that Kangethe had fled the US, boarding a flight to Nairobi.

After months in Kenya, Kangethe was arrested, and a Nairobi court ordered his extradition to the United States to face trial for first-degree murder. 

Following the court’s decision, FBI agents, along with a Massachusetts State Trooper, escorted Kangethe from Nairobi to Boston on September 2, 2024. 

He arrived at Logan International Airport and was immediately transferred to the custody of Massachusetts State Police.