Twist as Postmortem Findings Contradict Police Report On What Killed NIS Officer Elvis Opiyo Involved in SDA Singer Mary Claire Acid Attack

New details have emerged surrounding the death of Elvis Opiyo, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer who had been implicated in the March 2026 acid attack involving SDA gospel singer Mary Claire.

Opiyo’s death was reported on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with initial reports suggesting that he may have taken his own life. However, findings from a postmortem examination conducted at Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 12, have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.

According to the postmortem findings, pathologists discovered traces of poison in Opiyo’s body. The results therefore indicate that poisoning, rather than the initial suspicion of suicide, may have been the cause of death.

Opiyo had previously been connected to the acid attack on Mary Claire, which took place on March 17, 2026. He was arrested in connection with the case but was later released on a KSh1 million bond while investigations and legal proceedings continued.

Reports indicate that Opiyo had travelled to his rural home before being summoned by his employer.

He was subsequently dismissed from the NIS after allegedly being accused of planning and financing the attack on Mary Claire.

Following the dismissal, Opiyo reportedly informed his wife before returning to his residence in Umoja II, Nairobi. He was later discovered dead inside the house, with the dismissal letter reportedly found beside his body.

Investigators also reportedly recovered several items near the deceased, including a white powder contained in a transparent plastic bag, a spoon and an empty cup. His body was found lying on the floor in a supine position.

The circumstances surrounding the presence of the suspected poison and the other items are expected to form part of further investigations as authorities seek to establish exactly what happened before Opiyo’s death.

Speaking after the incident, Opiyo’s wife reportedly said he had been experiencing depression and that his situation had deteriorated significantly in recent months.

She attributed some of the pressure to the court case, the accusations against him and the public scrutiny surrounding the matter.

Opiyo leaves behind his wife and two children as investigations continue into the circumstances of his death.