BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has been plunged into grief following the tragic discovery of the body of a female student who had been reported missing by her family and friends just a day earlier.
The deceased, identified as Innocentia Avinu, a Level 200 student of the university, was found dead near Hutchland Beach Resort in Cape Coast after an extensive search by relatives and concerned members of the university community.
Her death has left students, lecturers and family members devastated, while police have launched investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to information gathered, Innocentia was last seen on June 11, 2026, at the Ayensu Plaza Hostel on the University of Cape Coast campus.
Family members said she left the hostel wearing a black dress but failed to return, prompting growing concern over her whereabouts.
As hours passed without any communication from the student, relatives and friends began searching for her and subsequently appealed to the public for assistance in locating her.
The search, however, ended in tragedy when a body matching her description was discovered washed ashore near Hutchland Beach Resort in Cape Coast.
Police reports indicate that at approximately 3:15 a.m. on June 12, 2026, the UCC District Police Command received information regarding the discovery of the body of an unidentified female believed to be between 25 and 30 years old.
A team of police officers was immediately dispatched to the scene to verify the report and commence preliminary investigations.
Upon arrival, officers found the body lying face down along the shoreline. Police noted that blood was observed coming from the nose of the deceased.
A preliminary examination conducted at the scene did not reveal any visible signs of assault, physical injuries or marks of violence on the body.
Investigators subsequently photographed the scene and transported the body to the mortuary of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for preservation and further examination.
As part of efforts to establish the identity of the deceased, police informed chief fishermen and members of coastal communities within the area, appealing for any information that could assist with investigations.
The breakthrough came on June 13 when a relative of the missing student visited the police station and identified photographs of the deceased as those of Innocentia Avinu.
Following the identification, the Dean of Students of the University of Cape Coast accompanied family members and police investigators to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary, where the body was formally identified and confirmed to be that of the missing student.
Police officials disclosed that a further examination conducted in the presence of relatives did not reveal any obvious physical injuries or indications of foul play.
Meanwhile, the Central Regional Crime Scene Management Team has visited the location where the body was discovered and carried out forensic processing as part of ongoing investigations.
Authorities say the body remains at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting an autopsy, which is expected to establish the exact cause of death and provide investigators with critical information regarding the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
The death of the young student has sent shockwaves through the University of Cape Coast community, with many students expressing grief and disbelief over the incident.
The tragedy has also renewed concerns about student safety and wellbeing, particularly for students residing in hostels both on and off campus.
While speculation continues to circulate on social media, police have urged the public to remain calm and allow investigators to complete their work.
Authorities maintain that the circumstances surrounding Innocentia Avinu’s death remain unclear and that all possible angles are being explored.
