A budding online romance has ended in tragedy after a young woman, simply identified as Brenda, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Warri, Delta State, shortly after spending a night at the residence of a man she met on TikTok.
The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has reignited fears about the dangers of virtual relationships and the risks associated with meeting strangers from social media platforms.
According to sources, Brenda had connected with a TikTok user known as Emmypounds, and after just three days of chatting and exchanging messages, she agreed to visit him at his residence along Jakpa Road in Warri. That decision would prove fatal.
Family and friends became increasingly anxious when they were unable to reach Brenda for days. A close friend who had access to her secondary phone and TikTok account began sifting through her messages. That was when they discovered her last known contact — the fateful trip to visit Emmypounds.
Upon confronting the man, he reportedly claimed that Brenda had suddenly fallen ill and was rushed to a nearby hospital. When her relatives arrived at the medical facility, they were met with a horrifying sight.
Brenda was in a critical state, barely conscious, and covered in mysterious bruises. She had been placed in adult diapers due to involuntary excretion and was unable to speak. Tragically, she succumbed to her condition without ever revealing what had transpired.
The police were alerted, and Emmypounds was promptly taken into custody for questioning. He insisted he was innocent, claiming they had both slept in the same room and that he woke up to find Brenda in distress.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident but dismissed speculation of foul play. Speaking to SaharaReporters on Tuesday, Edafe said the preliminary investigation suggests Brenda may have died from inhaling generator fumes.
“It’s not a case of murder. They put on a generator in the house, and it was suspected that the fumes killed the lady while the boy narrowly escaped. It was after he recovered that he was taken into custody,” Edafe stated.
Despite the police’s position, the circumstances surrounding Brenda’s death have left many unanswered questions. Observers are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation, especially given the bruises found on her body and her critical condition prior to death.
Meanwhile, Brenda has since been laid to rest by her grieving family, while the investigation continues.
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