Brit found dead in Kenya hotel room as cops launch murder probe with suspect ‘jumping to his death from eighth floor’

A BRITISH woman was found dead in her hotel in Kenya as cops launch a murder probe, with the suspect "jumping to his death from the eighth floor."

Kate Mitchell, who worked for BBC Media Action in a number of African countries, was found dead in her hotel room in Nairobi on Friday.

The BBC staff member, working at the broadcaster's international charity, was found dead in a hotel in the city - but it's not thought her death was connected to her work for the organisation.

Her eighth-floor room's window was broken and the body of a man she had been with earlier was found on the ground outside the hotel.

Local police said that a murder investigation has been launched but the exact circumstances of her death remain unclear.

Nairobi regional police commander Augustine Nthumbi said: "The suspected culprit... jumped off the eighth floor of the hotel through the room's window after sensing that the hotel security might be after him.

"We do not know the motive so far, and these are things the investigators are trying to put together."

Paying tribute to his sister, Peter Mitchell said: "Kate was a deeply beloved daughter, sister and friend, and we are only beginning to realise the magnitude of her loss.

"Kate loved her work and was tireless in her efforts to make the world a better place. 

"She leaves behind many, many beloved friends and colleagues around the world.

"We want to extend our sympathies to everyone who knew, worked with and loved her, and our sincere thanks for the many messages of comfort we have received.

"We are working with FCDO and with Kate’s colleagues at BBC Media Action to understand what happened.

"The circumstances surrounding her death are still being investigated, and we would ask you to ignore speculation in parts of the press and on social media.

"We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy as we grieve Kate's loss."

KENYA MURDER

In a statement, the BBC said Mitchell worked with the organisation for 14 years, including most recently as a senior project manager in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

BBC Media Action CEO Caroline Nursey said in a statement: "We are all shocked and horrified by this terrible news.

"Kate was a much-loved member of staff, who worked as a Senior Project Manager and had been with us for fourteen years.

"She was well known across our whole organisation, especially by our teams in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Zambia, and London.

"We send our deepest condolences to her family and her many friends around the world."

The donor-funded charity focuses on using media and the community to support marginalised groups around the world.