A Charlotte community is mourning the tragic death of Juliana Nzita, a 16-year-old originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was found dead days after being reported missing.
According to reports from The North Carolina Beat, Juliana was reported missing on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, prompting an urgent search by relatives and members of the local community.
The heartbreaking discovery was made on Friday, May 8, by community volunteer Kenneth Tolbert, who is widely known by the nickname “Mufasa.”
Tolbert told The North Carolina Beat that he was walking near the grounds of The United House of Prayer for All People on West Sugar Creek Road alongside his service dog, Cosmo, when he noticed what appeared to be the body of a teenage girl hanging from a tree.
“I alerted nearby church members first, then police,” Tolbert told the outlet.
According to Tolbert, he had been volunteering in the community that day with Brothers Helping Brothers before making the discovery near the 4100 block of West Sugar Creek Road.
Video footage reportedly captured moments after the discovery showed church members reacting with shock. One individual could reportedly be heard saying they had been in the same area the previous day and “didn’t see anything.”
The footage also allegedly showed a small blue chair beneath the tree and a rope tied high above, while Juliana’s feet appeared to still be touching the ground.
A report obtained from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department stated that Juliana Nzita was pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m. on May 8 in the 4200 block of West Sugar Creek Road.
According to the police report referenced by The North Carolina Beat, her death was officially ruled a suicide.
Juliana, who was originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, had reportedly been living in North Carolina before her death. Her disappearance and tragic discovery have sparked grief and concern throughout the Charlotte area, particularly among immigrant and African communities following the case online.
The North Carolina Beat reported that attempts to contact Nzita’s family and church representatives for comment were unsuccessful as of publication.
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, support is available through local mental health professionals and crisis intervention services.
