The Inquirer
Monrovia, Liberia

Distributed by

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia

Posted June 7, 2004

Some residents of “Timber Field” on the Somalia Drive near the Freeport of Monrovia yesterday mobbed to death a middle-aged man for his alleged connection with the mysterious death of a child.

The residents also burned the car and home of the accused identified as Harrison Tarplah.

Mr. Tarplah was beaten to death beyond recognition. They cut off his private part, burst his head and right eye, and had his gaping mouth stuffed with rags.

According to reports a little girl, identified as Janet Gaye, 4 years old who was living with her parents in the same community reportedly got missing last Friday afternoon at about 2 o’clock. But her body was discovered on Saturday within the community, few yards from Mr. Tarplah’s home.

Speaking to The INQUIRER in tears, Ms. Mary Kamara who is the mother of little Janet explained, “my daughter got missing last Friday afternoon. We looked for her up to the next morning but never found her.”

Ms. Kamara said she subsequently reported the case to the nearby police station the next day adding, “upon my return from the police station, I met the dead body of my lovely child.”

According to her, several parts were missing from the child’s body. She named the missing parts as her private part and tongue.

She said the neighbors told her that they found her body in the community in a drainage. Ms. Kamara said that the police later took the body away and it is still in their possession.

A source close to police team investigating the incident hinted this paper that the little girl’s body has been deposited at a local hospital for autopsy.

An eye witness said it was Mr. Harrison Tarplah’s private security (not named) who told the residents about his boss’ involvement in the killing of little Janet.

“When the angry residents confronted Mr. Tarplah on the issue, he admitted and said the parts extracted from the little girl were being kept by his brother only identified as Sam,” a resident alleged.

According to the resident who claimed he was on the scene when Tarplah was confronted and questioned, the crowd grew wild and immediately pounced on Tarplah, upon confessing about his involvement in the mysterious death of the child.

Our residential source revealed that prior to the mob action, Mr. Tarplah said they were five including a lady, that carried out the gruesome act.

Strangely, our source alleged that the deceased and some of the residents were in litigation over ownership of the Timber Field Community.

He alleged that the late Tarplah was claiming the whole community to be his property and that the court was expected to hand down ruling in the case today.

Our source also alleged that the deceased had consulted a witch-doctor to help him win the land case, and the doctor had requested human parts for some rituals. “This is why he kidnaped and subsequently killed the little girl,”our source added.

According to reports, Mr. Tarplah was the former Director of NARDA. He also founded and pastored a church which he was run in his residence.

The late Tarplah, our source alleged had transferred his family from the community prior to yesterday’s incident that caused his death.

Meanwhile, our police source has hinted that two residents who were part of the mob that lynched Mr. Tarplah have been arrested in connection with the murder of Tarplah. Investigation contiues.