The tragic fall of Sheila Chebii from a Sydney hotel balcony last month has left her family reeling with anguish and questioning the thoroughness of the ongoing investigation. The 25-year-old Kenyan student, who had only recently arrived in Australia to pursue postgraduate studies, fell 15 storeys from the 19th floor of the Meriton Suites on Sussex Street, where she was working as a housekeeper. Emergency services were dispatched to the hotel at approximately 1:30 PM on 17th May, six hours into what was reportedly her final shift in that role.
Ms Chebii's cousin, Faith Korir, who shared an apartment with her in Liverpool, west of Sydney, described her as "cheerful" and "lively". Ms Korir revealed that Sheila had been looking forward to starting a new cleaning job the following Monday, having cited back pain from long shifts as a reason for leaving her current role. The news has sent shockwaves through the Kenyan community in Australia, with community leaders highlighting the compounded grief felt by those close to Ms Chebii.
New South Wales police have stated that there is no evidence suggesting foul play was involved in Ms Chebii's death. However, the family, including her older brother Amos who travelled to Australia, are eager for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding her fall. Police have confirmed they are liaising with the family and consulate staff, keeping them informed of the ongoing inquiry.
The case has also caught the attention of Australian Senator David Shoebridge from the Greens party, who has met with Ms Chebii's family to offer support. Senator Shoebridge has reportedly urged the NSW coroner and SafeWork NSW to provide urgent briefings to ensure the family understands the next steps in the investigation, highlighting that "basic questions remain unanswered".