Police Seek Family of Kenyan Man Who Died in North Carolina

Authorities in North Carolina are seeking the relatives of a Kenyan man who died in the United States last month after efforts to locate his family were unsuccessful.

The Spring Lake Police Department identified the man as Henry Mukolwe Macharia, who was born on August 19, 1998. He died of natural causes in Spring Lake on September 11, 2026, according to police.

The department has appealed to anyone who may know Macharia's relatives or have information that could help establish contact with his family. People in the United States with information about Macharia's family have been asked to contact the Spring Lake Police Department on 910-436-0350. Information can also be provided to the Cape Fear Valley Vital Statistics Office on 910-615-5584.

The appeal has prompted several Kenyans online to share information about Macharia, with some saying they knew him while he was studying in Kenya or the United States. One person who identified himself as Macharia's former course mate said they studied together at Kenya Highlands University in Kericho. He said Macharia may not have completed his course and suggested that authorities contact the university or seek assistance from Kenyan diplomatic representatives in the United States.

Another social media user referred to records showing that Macharia appeared on Shepherd University's Spring 2022 Dean's List. Such records could provide further leads for establishing his identity and tracing people connected to him.

Information shared online still needs to be independently verified before it can be relied upon by authorities. However, such leads can assist investigations where relatives of a deceased foreign national cannot be located through the available records.

Kenyan diplomatic missions can also assist in tracing relatives and handling consular matters when a Kenyan citizen dies abroad. The Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC, provides consular services to Kenyans in the United States and may assist authorities in establishing contact with Macharia's family.

The immediate priority in Macharia's case is to locate his next of kin so that they can be notified of his death and participate in decisions concerning his remains.

If relatives cannot be located after the required procedures, the deceased may eventually be handled under local procedures for unclaimed remains. Public funds may be used for burial or cremation, while any assets left behind may be dealt with under applicable unclaimed-property laws.