Missing Woman's Body Found Inside Alexandria Home

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Alexandria Police have identified a man charged in the death of a missing 19-year-old woman from Cameroon.

Paul Zibi-Melingui, 22, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Stephanie Sophie Mani-Mbaga, police say.

Police say Zibi-Melingui -- also of Cameroon -- is Mani-Mbaga's half-brother.

Officers were called to a home, located in the in the 3800 block of Usher Court, to take a missing person's report around 5:19 p.m. Sunday, police say.

While police were at the home, one of Mani-Mbaga's relatives found her body inside a storage area.

"During the course of that investigation, this young lady was found inside the house, deceased, and detectives have been working the case since then," Lt. James Bartlett says.

Police previously said Mani-Mbaga's body was found in Zibi-Melingui's home.

Now, police say Mani-Mbaga and Zibi-Melingui lived in the West End home together.

Mani-Mbaga had been missing since Thursday.

Zibi-Melingui is being held without bond at the Alexandria detention facility.

The Medical Examiner's office conducted an autopsy Monday, but a cause of death was not released.

Police are continuing to investigate the case. Anyone with information about the case should contact Alexandria detectives at 703-838-4711.

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