A chilling family tragedy has shaken the Mlolongo Phase III estate after a mother, Linet Murila, was arrested in connection with the suspected poisoning of her three young children following a domestic dispute with her husband.
Police in Mlolongo say the bodies of the children — one-year-old twin girls and their four-year-old brother — were discovered inside their rented home at Neema Plaza on Monday afternoon.
According to officers, the horrifying discovery was made after the building’s caretaker received a cryptic text message from Murila, directing her to “come and see a wonder inside the house” shortly after the woman had left. Alarmed by the message, the caretaker and neighbours checked the house only to find the children unresponsive, with foam coming from their mouths.
Police reports indicate the children were allegedly poisoned using a mixture containing Vim detergent before Murila fled the scene. She was later traced and taken into custody, and is now being held at Mlolongo Police Station as detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continue their inquiry.
“This appears to be a premeditated act following a serious domestic disagreement,” said one officer involved in the investigation, noting that post-mortem examinations will determine the exact cause of death.
The tragedy has left the local community reeling, with neighbours describing the loss as “devastating” and calling for greater attention to mental health and family support services in the region.
No formal charges have yet been filed as investigations continue, but authorities say Murila could face murder charges once the probe is complete.