By Prince Mundi
Her untimely demise, which occurred on August 25, 2024 has prompted widespread speculation, with many questioning the circumstances leading to her death and pointing fingers at several potential suspects.
Melissa, known for her beauty, jovial personality, and dedicated as a church song leader at ‘Ministere Auto Auto’ lived with her mother and her adoptive father in Nkolmesseng neighborhood in Yaounde.
Despite her outwardly vibrant personality she had confided in close friends and family members about the pain she endured behind closed doors. In shocking revelations, Melissa disclosed that her adoptive father has been sexually abusing her for an extended period-a claim her own mother reportedly refused to believe.
Her aunt, Marie Claire Nkolo, who lives in Yaounde too corroborated these allegations, revealing that Melissa had suffered severe maltreatment in the household. “My sister has been bewitched. I told her, how can you watch your husband sleeping with your own daughter? but she didn’t believe me” Marie Claire lamented tearfully.
She described a pattern of abuses, saying, “They would beat her, make her kneel on gravel with hands raised up for long hours, starve her, and forced her to sleep on the floor”.
Despite multiple attempts to remove Melissa from the household, her adoptive father reportedly refused to let her leave since he had legally adopted her and even gave her his name, Ayissi.
In her desperation, Melissa had sought help from four different Gendarmerie stations and even social welfare authorities, but the lack of support from her mother made it difficult for the authorities to act or find lasting solution to the matter.
According to her aunt, Melissa’s complaints were consistently dismissed, leaving her trapped in a cycle of abuse.
Melissa’s death has only deepened the mystery surrounding her suffering. She died pregnant, though no one is certain who fathered the child whether it was her abusive adoptive father or her boy friend, Franck Som, who spent her final night with her. Franck recalled that Melissa had complained of severe stomach pain throughout the night and bye morning, her stomach had become noticeably swollen.“That was the beginning of her final journey”. Franck said, his voice heavy with emotions.
Melissa’s best friend, Odette Limunga, shared another disturbing detail: _just before her death, Melissa was allegedly forced by her parents to eat food shortly after returning from a visit to the social Welfare office._ Odette claimed that Melissa initially refused to eat the foot but her parents coerced her into eating it. Shortly after, she began experiencing violent stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. “That’s when everything went offhand”, Odette added.
The situation took a strange turn when Melissa’s body was hastily buried without an autopsy, raising questions and concerns among her friends and family. Why was there such urgency to bury her? What were they trying to hide?
Authorities at the Soa District Hospital confirmed that Melissa was already deceased when she arrived. The quick burial, combined with the unresolved circumstances surrounding her death, has left many in the community deeply suspicious.
The controversy has also drawn accusations against Melissa’s church, Ministere Auto Auto with her adoptive father claiming that the church sacrificed her her for rituals. The church leadership, however, has firmly denied any involvement, pointing instead to the abuse she allegedly suffered at home. A member of the claimed, “The man took Melissa as his second wife. He would sleep with her every day, and now we are witnessing the tragic consequences”.
The Police have now launched a full investigation into Melissa’s death. Her aunt, Marie Claire Nkolo is determined to uncover the truth, urging authorities to hold accountable anyone involved in the mistreatment and death of her niece. “This child suffered, and now she is gone. We need answers. We need Justice “, She insisted.
As investigation continue, the mystery of Melissa’s death remains unresolved, leaving the community and her loved ones to bear the devastating loss.
The tragic story of Melissa Nkoa Ayissi is not an isolated case in Cameroon, where cases of sexual abuse within families and domestic violence continue to make headlines. In recent years, several high-profile cases have emerged, sparking public outcry and calls for stricter protections for vulnerable women and children. However, despite efforts by civil society organizations, many victims remain silenced by societal pressure, family loyalty, or the lack of adequate legal support.
As the investigation into Melissa’s death continues, her case serves as stark reminder of the struggles many young women face behind closed doors. For now, the truth remains elusive, but her friends and family are determined to ensure her voice is heard this time through justice.
