By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Police have arrested 28-year-old Shepherd Severa after he allegedly murdered his friend, Brian Nandana of Warren Park D, in what investigators suspect could be a blood ritual killing after the suspect allegedly slit the victim’s throat, drank his blood and buried the body in a shallow grave at Warren Hills Cemetery.
The gruesome case came to light after police recovered a blood-stained Toyota Aqua, registration number AGO 2804, at Warren Hills Cemetery in the early hours of May 19, triggering investigations which ultimately led to Severa’s arrest.
In a statement released Thursday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said detectives linked the vehicle to the murder investigation before arresting the suspect.
“The arrest follows the recovery of a blood stained Toyota Aqua vehicle, registration number AGO 2804 at Warren Hills Cemetery, Harare on 19th May 2026 at around 0400 hours,” said Nyathi.
Police said subsequent investigations led to Severa, who allegedly confessed to killing Nandana in chilling circumstances.
“Subsequent police investigations lead to the arrest of the suspect who allegedly confessed to killing his friend, Brian Nandana by cutting his throat with a kitchen knife before sucking his blood,” Nyathi said.
According to police, the suspect later led investigators to Warren Hills Cemetery where the victim’s remains were discovered in a shallow grave.
“The suspect led the police to a shallow grave at Warren Hills Cemetery where the victim’s body was retrieved with a deep cut on the neck and a scar on the back of the head,” Nyathi added.
The shocking allegations have fuelled suspicions of ritualistic motives behind the murder, although police are yet to officially classify the case as a ritual killing.
Nyathi said investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the murder are continuing and more details will be released in due course.
