MONROVIA – The mysterious death of South African national Ntombi Toni Khumalo Jackson has taken a new turn as the Liberia National Police on Monday, March 16, 2026, proceeded with an autopsy on her remains at St. Moses Funeral Parlours, while the defense team representing suspect Samuel Jackson called for the examination to be postponed.
Jackson’s legal counsel, led by Cllr. Sayma Cyrenius Cephus, formally requested a delay in a letter addressed to Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman. The letter, dated March 16, 2026, raised several concerns about the circumstances under which the autopsy was scheduled.
According to the defense team, the notice provided for the autopsy was too short, preventing them from properly preparing or securing an independent medical expert to represent their client’s interests during the procedure.
The lawyers also expressed concern that the police had not provided the credentials of the pathologist assigned to conduct the examination, which they argued is necessary for background checks and verification of professional qualifications.
In addition, the defense stated that they were unable to secure a qualified pathologist to observe the autopsy on behalf of their client because of the short notice given by the authorities.
Another issue raised by the legal team was the absence of a death certificate establishing the cause of death. According to the lawyers, the cause of death had not been disputed or challenged in a way that would require an immediate autopsy.
In their communication to the police, the defense requested that the examination be deferred to allow adequate time for the family and legal representatives to hire a qualified pathologist who could independently observe the process.
Despite the request, authorities confirmed that the Liberia National Police has already begun the autopsy as part of its ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jackson’s death.
The case has attracted growing public attention in Monrovia, where advocacy groups have intensified calls for justice and transparency in the investigation.
Meanwhile, activists under the Campaign to End Gender-Based Violence staged a protest at the police headquarters demanding swift justice in the case.
The demonstrators, many dressed in black, said the protest forms part of a broader movement that has been advocating for stronger action against violence affecting women and girls across Liberia.
Campaign organizers said the death of Toni Jackson has sparked renewed public outrage, particularly following the circulation of videos and testimonies on social media discussing the circumstances surrounding her death.
They argued that the case reflects a wider pattern in which women around the world face abuse and intimidation when attempting to leave violent relationships, noting that Liberia is not immune to such challenges.
During the protest, activists presented a petition containing seven demands to the police, including calls for a speedy and transparent investigation, stronger accountability within the justice system, and improved investigative tools for handling gender-based violence cases.
Receiving the petition, Inspector General Gregory Coleman assured the activists that the police remain committed to combating gender-based violence and that the investigation into Jackson’s death will be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
Coleman further disclosed that gender-based violence issues have been elevated from the National Security Council level to a national security priority. He also pledged to forward the group’s petition to Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of Liberia, for review.
Toni Jackson reportedly died under mysterious circumstances on Friday, March 13, 2026. As investigations continue, police say the findings of the autopsy will be made public in the coming days, a development that could determine the direction of one of Liberia’s most closely watched criminal investigations.
