From birthday to 20 stab wounds and death: Inside Regina Re's mum bloody end

Three pathologists conducted a post-mortem examination at Lee Funeral Home, establishing that Dorita suffered more than 20 injuries, including multiple stab wounds to the neck. [File, Standard]

When Dorita Lasinder Macharia, 86, returned to her Loresho home on the night of October 30, 2026, she probably expected another quiet Friday evening in the comfort of her residence. Instead, it would mark the beginning of a horrifying mystery that has left her family searching for answers and detectives racing against time to piece together the circumstances surrounding her brutal death.

What happened inside the elderly woman’s home remains the subject of an intense criminal investigation, with questions mounting over who killed her, why she was targeted and whether her murder was carefully planned. Investigators are also seeking to establish whether anyone attempted to conceal evidence or shield those responsible.

The mystery deepened on Tuesday after three pathologists conducted a post-mortem examination at Lee Funeral Home. The team, led by Dr Bernard Midia, established that Dorita had suffered more than 20 injuries, including multiple stab wounds to the neck that damaged blood vessels, resulting in severe bleeding.

“The injuries consisted of multiple stab wounds to the neck with injury to the blood vessels, which led to severe external bleeding. There were also other injuries, including the left upper arm. There was a fracture on that arm,” Dr Midia said.

He added that the examination had revealed other sharp-force injuries.

“There were also other sharp-force injuries, incised wounds to various parts of the body, mainly around the neck and face. There were more than 20 wounds,” he said.

Even so, the pathologists said it was not clear whether the perpetrators used a knife or another object, saying more samples were collected from the deceased’s body for further investigation.

The post-mortem findings have added a disturbing dimension to an investigation that has already drawn attention because of the family relationships surrounding the alleged crime.

Five people, including the deceased’s daughter, Regina Wambui Gitao, alias Regina Re, were arrested in connection with the killing. The other suspects are Thandie Malaika Wanjiku Gitao, Immanuel Walgwe Munyeki and Alton Jimmy Macharia.

ALSO READ: Former TV host Regina Re detained over mother's murder

They appeared before the Kibera Law Courts on November 2, where detectives sought permission to detain them as they pursued further investigations.

In an application filed through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), detectives from Gigiri initially requested 15 days to hold the suspects at Gigiri Police Station. However, the court granted investigators 10 days to complete crucial inquiries.

Regina Re is not new to Kenyans, having featured on some local programmes, sometimes thrusting her to fame.

In the days preceding her death, a birthday tribute circulating online indicated that Dorita had celebrated her 86th birthday on October 28, just two days before she was found dead.

Emotional tribute

In the emotional tribute, her daughter reflected on the years they had shared and expressed gratitude for the care and love the woman had given her family.

The message ended with a prayer for peace and eternal light for the departed, a poignant farewell that now sits against the grim circumstances of her death.

 “For all the care, support and love you poured into your family, in your own unique way...And for all the many years God gave you to us...I am deeply grateful and forever will sing. May God grant we who are still down here peace and understanding; And may perpetual light shine eternally on your soul...” her daughter’s tribute read in part

 Investigating officer Police Constable David Njoroge told the court that the woman was found murdered inside her house at Loresho Ridge Estate with a deep cut wound on the left side of her neck.

According to the investigator, preliminary investigations established that the deceased had disagreed with her granddaughter, Thandie, after allegedly finding her in a compromising situation with her boyfriend, Alton, inside her bedroom.

The elderly woman reportedly became angry and ordered her granddaughter to leave the residence and surrender the room keys.

She also directed several friends who were allegedly present in the house to leave. The court heard that following the disagreement, the deceased called her son, Jimmy, to help evict her granddaughter.

ALSO READ: Former TV host Regina Re detained over mother's murder

At the time, it is stated that Thandie left the house but reportedly returned later and remained inside with the deceased for about an hour.

The investigator told the court the elderly woman was later found lying in a pool of blood, while her granddaughter allegedly rushed out screaming after finding her grandmother bleeding.

It is stated that some of her friends were still waiting outside at the time; thus, the investigators told the court that they needed more time to analyse CCTV footage retrieved from the estate.

To tighten the probe, the investigator told the court that they needed more time to conduct forensic examinations, obtain fingerprints and mobile phone call data records, and record statements from key witnesses.

At the same time, the investigating officer told the court that the suspects had indicated their willingness to provide information that could lead to the arrest of other alleged accomplices who remain at large.

The detectives said that releasing the suspects before investigations were completed could compromise efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The court granted detectives 10 days to detain the four suspects as investigations continue.