A 24-year-old missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in West Africa has died after suffering a “sudden medical episode.”
Tinotenda Watson Maumbe, who was serving in the faith’s Benin Cotonou Mission, fell in his apartment Wednesday and injured his head after the episode, church spokesperson Sam Penrod said in a news release Thursday. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
Maumbe hailed from Zimbabwe and had been on his mission since February.
“We send our love and deepest sympathies to Elder Maumbe’s family and friends, as well as his companion and the missionaries he has served alongside,” Penrod said. “We pray that each will be comforted and feel the peace of the Savior as they remember and honor Elder Maumbe and his faithful service.”
This represents the eighth publicly reported death of a full-time Latter-day Saint missionary this year, exceeding the seven known to have died in 2023.
David is a managing editor at The Tribune, where he has worked since 1984. He oversees coverage ranging from local government and west-side issues to growth, development and housing. In addition, he directs religion reporting, co-hosts the award-winning “Mormon Land” podcast and writes the Mormon Land newsletter.