Police are searching for a 27-year-old man after his girlfriend was found dead late Monday following a domestic dispute reportedly linked to his marijuana use, authorities and local residents said.
The suspect, identified by residents as Sylvester, allegedly killed his girlfriend, Abena, after she threatened to end their relationship if he did not stop what she described as excessive smoking, according to people familiar with the matter.
Sources said Abena had complained about regularly inhaling marijuana smoke in the room they shared, claiming it was affecting her health. She is believed to have warned Sylvester that she would leave if he did not quit.
Residents said the suspect promised to stop smoking and asked Abena for money to buy what he described as his “last roll” of marijuana. She refused, according to accounts.
Sylvester then went to a friend, a local barber, to ask for money to buy the drug, residents said. The friend declined and reportedly advised him to learn the barbering trade instead if he needed income to support his smoking habit.
Later that night, around 10 p.m., Abena was discovered dead in Sylvester’s room. Some neighbors told reporters they heard three gunshots from the direction of the suspect’s home around that time.
Police have not released an official cause of death and have not confirmed whether a firearm was used. Investigators say Sylvester fled the area shortly after the incident and remains at large.
Authorities are urging the public to provide any information that could assist in locating the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.