Prince Tengey, a 22-year-old hearing-impaired man, has reportedly taken his own life after he was found dead in his room in the early hours of Wednesday, 11th June, at Nyekornakpoe in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region.

The deceased, who made a living selling fresh coconuts, was discovered hanging from a rope by a friend who had gone to call him for the day’s work.

Residents say they saw him in the community the previous day and did not observe any signs of distress or behaviour suggesting he was contemplating suicide.

The Assembly Member for the area, Williams Dakunya, who confirmed the incident, expressed shock at the young man’s sudden death, describing him as “humble, hardworking and jovial.”

Further information gathered indicates that the deceased was facing a charge of rape at the Tsivolime Magistrate Court.

He had reportedly been remanded for allegedly raping a young woman in the community but was later granted bail.

He was expected to reappear in court on Tuesday, June 10, but failed to do so for reasons yet to be established.

“This case has been ongoing for about three months. He was initially remanded but later granted bail to return to court yesterday. Unfortunately, he did not show up,” the Assembly Member revealed.

According to him, when the case was called in court on Tuesday, the presiding judge, through the deceased’s uncle who was present, issued a warning that the accused would be arrested if he failed to attend the next hearing.

Some community members suspect the young man may have died by suicide due to the psychological toll of the court case.

The Ketu South Divisional Police have been informed of the incident.

The body has since been conveyed to the Ketu South Municipal Mortuary for preservation and further investigation.