Tema, June 19, GNA - Investigations into the death of Miss Catherine Johnson, a 16-year-old first year student of the Fijai Secondary School whose body was found near the Sakumono Lagoon has led to a murder charge against Elis Bruce Tagoe, the boyfriend.

Tagoe, 23, who completed his secondary school education a fortnight ago was charged with murdering the girl friend based on the police finding his necklace at the spot where the deceased body was found. Tagoe pleaded not guilty and was remanded on Monday when he appeared before the Tema Circuit Court 'B' presided over by Mr Nicholas Mensah Abodakpi.

Police Chief Inspector Edith Nutakor said Tagoe, the deceased and Madam Augustina Armah, the mother of Catherine all reside in Tema Community Three.

She said on June 07 when the deceased left home at about 1600 hours and did not return, the mother combed the whole of Tema but did not find her.

She was found dead the next day at a spot called Watch Birds along the Sakumono Lagoon about 500 meters from her house.

Chief Inspector Nutakor said abrasion was found all over the body and her panties was found torn lying beside her shorts.

Her legs were widely opened suggesting she might have been raped. She said during investigations, a necklace that was found at the murder scene was identified as belonging to Tagoe.

Some people said they saw the accused and the deceased at about 1600 hours in Tema Community Three strolling on the day she left home. Tagoe was arrested and said during interrogations that he last saw the deceased a day before her disappearance but claimed ownership of the necklace.

He said he gave it to the deceased some time past when she requested for it.

The prosecutor said investigations were still on going and autopsy was yet to be carried on the body deposited at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Tagoe would reappear on July 24.