The lifeless body of Papa Abraham Stemmer, a fisherman who went missing last week, has been discovered in Harper City, Maryland County. According to eyewitnesses, the body was found by fishermen on Monday morning, October 5, 2026, in the waters between Lake Shepherd and the Atlantic Ocean. The Independent Human Rights Commission in Maryland County reported observing severe injuries to the body.
The Human Rights Commission's monitor, S. Boniface Nyema, alleged that both ears, eyes, upper and lower lips, tongue, and anus appeared to have been removed from Stemmer's body. He also claimed that the hair appeared to have been scraped from the victim's skull, and an oily substance resembling fuel or waste oil was found on parts of the body. Nyema said these observations were made before police arrived to conduct an official examination.
Stemmer was reported missing on September 29, 2026, after a canoe capsizing incident near Richard Sea-Port in Maryland County. A preliminary police report stated that Stemmer and another fisherman, Bishop Toe, had boarded a canoe from Nekambo for fishing activities. The sea became rough, causing the canoe to capsize, and Stemmer disappeared while swimming.
Edwin B. Wadeh, head of Stemmer's maternal family and Chief of Barriken Township, described the discovery of the body as shocking. Wadeh said the family had spent days searching for Stemmer, seeking assistance from medical practitioners, prayer centers, and traditional healers. He also mentioned disagreements between Stemmer's maternal and paternal families over claims made by traditional healers during the search.
An eyewitness, Prince Copeland, questioned the absence of police several hours after the body was discovered. Copeland expressed concern that authorities respond quickly to reports of rape and theft but seemed delayed in responding to the discovery of a dead body. Another eyewitness, Quassee, called on young people to be more vigilant, stating that "our own mothers are the ones killing us today."
The discovery of Stemmer's body has raised questions about what happened to him after the canoe capsizing. The Human Rights Commission's reported observations have raised concerns that require further investigation. As of Monday, there was no official police or medical determination establishing that Stemmer was murdered or confirming how the reported injuries occurred.
A formal examination of the body, including a medical determination of the cause of death, is expected to provide further information. The Maryland County Police authorities had not publicly released a statement on the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body as of the time of the report. The allegations by the Human Rights Commission have not been independently verified by police or medical authorities.
Key points
- The body of Papa Abraham Stemmer was found with suspected missing body parts.
- The Human Rights Commission reported observing severe injuries to Stemmer's body.
- The cause and circumstances of Stemmer's death remain unclear pending further investigation.
