Residents of Bonwire in the Ejisu District of the Ashanti Region have been left in shock following the suspected suicide of a well-known Presbyterian Church elder, businessman, and philanthropist.
The deceased, identified as Elvis Asante, popularly called “Chinoo”, was believed to be in his early 40s. In addition to his church and business engagements, he also served as a Polling Station Organizer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Bonwire Methodist Primary School.
According to reports, Mr. Asante was discovered unresponsive in his room after allegedly hanging himself with a piece of kente cloth tied to a ceiling fan. Witnesses said his knees were resting on a sofa chair at the time of discovery.
Residents recounted that he had earlier been seen around 9:00 a.m., weeding and cleaning the compound. By 11:00 a.m., he was reportedly preparing to take a bath, as a bucket of water was later found at the entrance of his bathroom the last place he was seen before the incident.
An eyewitness explained that the door to his room had remained unusually ajar for some time. On checking, she found him hanging and quickly raised an alarm.
Though the exact cause of his alleged action remains unknown, some community members suspect he may have been battling emotional and financial pressures, while others pointed to possible personal struggles, including a recent relationship breakdown.
Police have since visited the scene and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death. His body has been deposited at the Ejisu Government Hospital morgue for autopsy.
