International manhunt launched after missing woman found dead at Boston airport

A missing woman who was found dead Wednesday in a parking garage at Boston Logan International Airport was murdered and her killer has since boarded a plane to Kenya, authorities said.

Margaret Mbitu, 31, was found dead inside a vehicle in the airport's parking garage after her family had reported her missing on Monday, according to a statement from the Massachusetts State Police.

Authorities have identified 40-year-old Kevin Kangethe as the suspect in the homicide. The pair reportedly knew each other and police say they believe the homicide was not a random act.

"At approximately 6:30 PM Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to the Logan Airport Barracks located a vehicle occupied by a deceased adult female in the Central Parking garage at Logan Airport," authorities said in their statement to the press. "A subsequent investigation by the State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County and State Police Troop F Detectives confirmed that the victim was the missing Whitman woman, Margaret Mbitu, 31. Evidence indicates that she was the victim of a homicide."

Officials believe Kangethe is now in Kenya and Massachusetts State Police Detectives have obtained an arrest warrant and say that they are working with Kenyan authorities to locate him.

"We urge this suspect to turn himself in to authorities before he or anyone else gets hurt," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement on Friday. "We are making every effort possible to apprehend him and to begin the process of seeking justice for Margaret Mbitu and those mourning her tragic death."

There is no threat to the public or to Logan Airport travelers and no further information is being released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, police said.