Anti-corruption investigator Monika Silva Koniuszek, 41, whose death was initially ruled a suicide by officials, was found to have been strangled and beaten before she died
An activist whose death was initially ruled a suicide by officials was later found to have died from a blow to the head and strangulation, with campaigners now alleging she may have been silenced.
Polish-born anti-corruption investigator Monika Silva Koniuszek, 41, who lived and worked in Ecuador, was reportedly found dead at her home in the coastal town of Montañita on June 8, according to Ecuadorian news outlet Radio Pichincha.
Immediately after the discovery, Ecuadorian government officials claimed that it seemed as though Monika had ended her own life, with Home Secretary John Reimberg saying on national radio that “it is presumed that the lady died by suicide.”
However, following an autopsy on the body, it was revealed that Monika had in fact died from a serious blow to the skull as well as strangulation.
Now, according to the Guardian, fellow anti-corruption campaigners are suggesting that the violent death may have been organised in order to silence her.
Monika had spent the months in the build-up to her death investigating alleged corruption between figures involved in local politics in Ecuador’s Santa Elena province and criminal cartels.
A close friend of Monika explained to news outlet TVP Info, who are based in her native Poland, that the campaigner and single mother had felt “followed and observed” while looking into alleged corruption.
Joanna Cuper claimed: ““She said that the cartels had put a price on her head. Three years ago, her then husband took the children to Brazil because she was receiving threats that she and her children would be murdered”, adding that “None of us believe she killed herself.”
British activist Beth Pitts, who collaborated with Monika on a number of occasions, also spoke out about the tragic death, describing Monika as “the bravest person” she knew.
She said: [Monika] was often a lone voice, publicly and vociferously denouncing corruption and environmental crimes when everyone else was too afraid to speak out,”
“Beyond her activism, she was a dedicated single mother and a wonderful friend. Even when she was receiving death threats, she would still take the time to ask how I was doing and offer her support.”
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