Superintendent of Police (SP) Kohima, Krodi Rhetso, today briefed the media on the successful investigation into the gruesome murder of 22-year-old Vihozhono Zao, whose body was discovered on October 24 in Kohima.
Addressing a press conference, SP Rhetso said that on the morning of October 25, the city was jolted by news of the young woman’s brutal killing. Upon receiving the information, a team from South Police Station immediately proceeded to the scene, cordoned off the area, and began preliminary investigation.
He informed that a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Dimapur, reached the site at 2:05 p.m. and conducted standard forensic procedures, including photography, videography, and the collection of physical evidence. A detection dog was also deployed to assist in the search for additional clues. An inquest was carried out in the presence of independent witnesses, followed by a post-mortem examination at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).
Following a written FIR filed by the deceased’s paternal uncle, Vekethozo Zao, a formal case was registered and assigned to an investigating officer. Given the gravity of the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to conduct a comprehensive and coordinated investigation, the SP informed.
Calling it a “blind” case, SP Rhetso said the investigation faced several extraordinary challenges, as there were initially no clear suspects or motives. The identified crime scene was also believed to be a secondary location, which further complicated efforts to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Through “painstaking and methodical” investigation, the SIT identified Samuel Zao (31)—the victim’s uncle—as the prime suspect.
During interrogation, Samuel confessed to the crime. He told investigators that on the day of the incident, he asked Vihozhono to prepare tea. When she responded dismissively while using her phone, he struck her on the head with a piece of firewood in a fit of anger.
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After the assault, he used a sweater in an attempt to stop the bleeding, switched off her phone, broke it, and disposed of the pieces. He later dumped the blood-stained sweater in a gutter and hid the body in his room before moving it to a ring well in the basement.
The post-mortem report confirmed that the cause of death was multiple skull fractures caused by a blunt object, the SP said and further clarified that additional samples have been sent to the forensic laboratory, and results are awaited.
So far, the investigation has found no evidence of sexual assault, and police believe the murder occurred around 2 p.m. on October 24, he added.
SP Rhetso acknowledged that the investigation has faced delays because Nagaland’s only FSL is located in Dimapur. The SP highlighted that the government has been made aware of this limitation, which underscores the urgent need for a properly equipped forensic lab within the state with increased manpower as it was also informed that there was only one forensic lab in Nagaland with one team.
Thanking the public for their patience and cooperation which allowed the team to work professionally and without external pressure, the SP said the successful resolution of this “blind case” stands as a testament to the dedication and professionalism of Kohima Police.
He assured that police are working proactively to prevent such crimes and appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities.
