Police Investigate Tragic Death of Missing UCC Student Innocentia Atsufui Avinu Found at Hutchland Beach

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) community is in mourning following the tragic discovery of the body of Innocentia Atsufui Avinu, a 20-year-old Level 200 Bachelor of Commerce student. Innocentia, who had been reported missing, was found washed ashore at Hutchland Beach near Duakor on the morning of June 12, 2026. Residents reported the discovery to the UCC District Command around 3:15 a.m., sparking a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Her identity was subsequently confirmed by her family and roommates on June 13.

According to reports from the university and her roommates, Innocentia was last seen leaving the Ayensu Plaza Hostel on the evening of June 10, 2026. She reportedly received a phone call around 7:00 p.m. and left her room shortly thereafter, wearing a black dress. When she failed to return, friends and family initiated a search and alerted the authorities. The discovery of her body just two days later has left the university administration and her fellow students in a state of shock, with UCC Management providing support to the bereaved family and affected students.

Initial forensic examinations conducted by the police at the scene revealed no visible signs of physical assault or external injuries, despite the presence of blood oozing from her nose. The body was found in a prone position and has since been transported to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation and a post-mortem examination. Detectives are currently exploring several possibilities, including accidental drowning, natural causes, or potential foul play, as they wait for the autopsy results to establish a definitive cause of death.

In the wake of the tragedy, the family of Innocentia Avinu has issued a formal statement to address and debunk viral social media claims suggesting her organs had been harvested. They described these reports as false and misleading, urging the public to refrain from sharing distressing images of the deceased or unverified information that could hinder the investigation. The family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the public while emphasizing their reliance on the Ghana Police Service to provide clarity and justice.

As the investigation continues, the UCC District Command has enlisted the help of local chief fishermen to assist in gathering further information that might explain how the student ended up at the beach. Authorities have reiterated their call for calm and requested that anyone with relevant information regarding the phone call Innocentia received or her movements prior to her disappearance come forward. The university has pledged its full cooperation with law enforcement to ensure a thorough inquiry into the loss of one of its promising students.