Tragedy in Curepipe: A 33-Year-Old Resident Strangled in a Home in Forest Side
A violent altercation between two residents of a home in Curepipe turned tragic in the early hours of March 10, 2026. A 33-year-old woman was strangled, and the suspect has been arrested and confessed.
Shock and disbelief have gripped a care home in Forest Side. Rebecca Laretif, aged 33, lost her life after being strangled during a violent confrontation with fellow resident Marie Isabelle Mégane Ang-Ho, aged 22, in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The suspect was apprehended and later taken to Brown Sequard Hospital.
Rebecca Laretif had been living at the Mon Destin home for about six months, having previously been placed in another facility. In the early hours of Tuesday, around 3 a.m., she was reportedly attacked and strangled by Marie Isabelle Ang-Ho. The victim was found lying on the floor, with injuries observed on her back and blood visible on her hands.
An electrical cable suspected to have been used to strangle the victim was found at the scene. It is believed to be connected to the television antenna. Upon being alerted, the police arrived and discovered the body along with blood-stained pieces of fabric. Blood traces were also found on the walls and floor, and a pillow suspected of being used in the assault was seized by investigators.
Teams from the Scene of Crime Office (SOCO), the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and the CID of Curepipe arrived at the scene. Fingerprint samples were taken as part of the investigation, and the center's surveillance camera footage will also be analyzed by the police.
During an initial interview with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Curepipe on Tuesday, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, stating "I strangled her." Marie Isabelle Mégane Ang-Ho was brought before the Curepipe court on Tuesday afternoon, where she was provisionally charged with murder and subsequently placed in a cell at Brown Sequard Psychiatric Hospital.
A report on her psychological state is awaited
On the afternoon of March 10, an autopsy conducted at the Candos morgue by Dr. Sudesh Kumar Gungadin and Dr. Prem Chamane determined that Rebecca Laretif’s death was due to strangulation. On the same day, Marie Isabelle Ang-Ho was examined by a psychiatrist and the team from the Police Medical Office (PMO). A psychological report is pending to determine her fitness to stand trial.
Contacted by Le Défi Media Group on Tuesday afternoon, Fréderic Laretif, the victim's brother, stated that he learned of the tragedy around 10:30 a.m. He received a call from the center informing him of his sister's death. According to him, Rebecca occasionally suffered from episodes but had no other known illnesses. He never imagined such a tragedy could occur in such an establishment.
Fréderic Laretif explained that his sister's residence in the center was a decision made by the authorities. He claimed Rebecca had previously confided in him about being assaulted by other residents. "She said she was being taken out of there," Fréderic recounted. He also claimed she had mentioned receiving physical blows. "She had already told me she was beaten, but we never saw that with our own eyes," he added. He now leaves it to the police to clarify the matter.
"Nothing to be ashamed of"
When approached by Le Défi Media Group on Tuesday, the owner and manager of the Mon Destin nursing home claimed he had nothing to be ashamed of and would let the police conduct the investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the tragedy.
