POLICE in Okahandja have confirmed the arrest of a 24-year-old man over the murder of 16-year-old Clara Frederick.

Frederick was stabbed on 29 September 2023 and succumbed to her injuries in hospital in Okahandja. 

According to the Namibian Police Force, the incident occurred at around 01h50 in the Nau-Aib informal area. 

According to Otjozondjupa regional crime investigations coordinator, deputy commissioner Edna Nawa, the suspect, identified as Ebson Otto, was arrested on Friday and has appeared in court. 

Otto was denied bail when he made his first appearance in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court on Monday, with the state citing the seriousness of the offence and public interest. 

Initial reports suggested that the deceased was pregnant at the time of her death. Nawa however indicated that the police are unaware of that.

“We will only be able to confirm that after the post-mortem has been conducted,” said Nawa.  -Nampa

It is alleged that Frederick was coming from a bar and as she approached her mother’s house, the suspect approached her, stabbing her with an unknown sharp object.

“Frederick screamed and her mother came out to investigate and found her lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Upon hearing Frederick’s mother coming out of the house, the suspects ran away and this made it impossible for her to establish how many suspects had attacked her daughter,” the police said at the time. -Nampa