By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has charged 43-year-old Francis Koivan with aggravated assault and murder following the brutal killing of his girlfriend, Hannah Karto, in a dispute over palm wine. The incident occurred at 10:00 AM on February 6, 2025, in Zeor Town, Lower Margibi County.
The Police charged defendant Koivan, in violation of Chapter 14, sub-chapter A, and Section 14.1 of the revised Penal Law of the Republic of Liberia, for purposely, knowingly and intentionally taking away the life of his girlfriend Hannah Karto.
“In view thereof, this investigation has resolved to charge suspect Francis Koiyan (defendant) with AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND MURDER, in violation of Chapter 14, sub-chapter A, and Section 14.1 of the revised Penal Law of the Republic of Liberia, pending court trial.”
Following the accident, the LNP says that defendant Koiyan fled the crime scene minutes after committing said crime, but he was later arrested at Louisiana Township, Montserrado County on March 27, 2025, based upon a tip-off.
The LNP charge sheet reveals that Hannah Karto, the disease decided to leave her home in Zeor’s Town to go in the bush to buy her market (palm wine), but her boyfriend Francis Kolyan insisted that he was following her wherever she went. This was because she had his palm wine container and reportedly refused to give it to him.
He followed her (Hannah Karto) while she was going in the bush and while on their way, he attacked the victim and started hitting her with punches until she fell onto the ground, When she collapsed to the ground, the defendant Francis Koiyan tied her both hands at her back with her lapper and also placed her head in her undergarment (backing) and abandoned her n tie and went away.
The Police further provided that, however, community dwellers of Zeor’s Town were informed by market women who heard the shouting voice of the victim in the bushes, as she was crying for rescue.
The investigation further revealed that dwellers of Zeor Town, went in the bushes, based upon the information from the market women, and in the process found the unconscious body of the victim (Hannah Karto lying in a pool of blood. Defendant Koiyan was searched for in the bushes, but he was nowhere to be found. Family members of the victim were instructed by the Police to preserve her body as the investigation continues.
During the investigation with defendant Francis Koiyan regarding his alleged connection to the death of Hannah Karto, he admitted to his involvement and stated that, he killed his girlfriend Hannah Karto; giving several reasons that prompted his action and stating that he was provoked by his fiance.
Witnesses that were spoken to concerning the incident blamed defendant Francis Koiyan and accused him of being heartless, due to the manner he killed his girlfriend.
