According to police, Gathua checked into the short-stay apartment on December 22 and remained alone in the unit. Investigators say the room was locked from the inside and stayed that way until about 2:00PM on December 23, when the incident occurred.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Gathua was alone at the time of his death. Police believe he fell from the 14th floor through a rear window of the apartment building. Officers at the scene also reported finding self-inflicted injuries, suggesting he may have harmed himself prior to the fall.
His body was discovered behind the apartment building on Tuesday afternoon. Entry into the room was later gained by breaking the door, as it had been locked from the inside, police said.
Authorities have not established the motive behind the incident, and investigations are ongoing. Gathua was 51 years old at the time of his death.