A tragic incident has left a family in mourning as a young Kenyan woman has died after falling 15 floors from a Sydney hotel, with circumstances surrounding her death still unclear.
Sheila Jepkorir Chebii, aged 25, passed away on May 17 after a mysterious fall from the 19th floor of the Meriton Suites located on Sussex Street in Sydney’s Central Business District.
Having arrived in Australia just six weeks prior, Sheila was employed as a housekeeper at the 32-storey hotel tower when the fatal accident occurred.
Emergency services responded to the scene at 1:30 p.m., discovering her body on a balcony located on the fourth floor.
“Staff attempted CPR until emergency personnel arrived, but unfortunately, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene,” a representative from NSW Police informed the Daily Mail.
The Sydney City Police Area Command has launched an investigation and is preparing a report for the coroner to further examine the incident.
Police are not treating the death as suspicious.
But her devastated family told local media they spoke to her by phone just minutes earlier, around 12.30pm, and she gave them no indication anything was amiss.
Sheila Jepkorir Chebii, 25, died on May 17 after falling from the 19th floor of the Meriton Suites on Sussex Street in Sydney’s CBD
The Daily Mail understands Ms Chebii was working as a housekeeper at the hotel
The Kenyan national had moved to Australia six weeks before her tragic death
Family members in Sydney have been helped by local community leaders and friends to get access to her body at the coroner’s court complex in Lidcombe.
They believe her cause of death is still ‘unclear’ after they were allegedly told of her relatively minor injuries suffered in the fall.
According to the family, Ms Chebii had ‘minimal’ injuries, including a ‘small injury on the forehead, a dent on one eye, bruises on her arms and an injury on the hip’.
They have now cast doubt on the official version of her death and say they have met police in their search for answers.
‘We are distraught because the state of Sheila’s body is completely inconsistent with the information given that she fell from the Meriton hotel, level 19 to level 4,’ they said in a statement to Kenyan media.
‘The family and community remain deeply saddened and emotionally affected by the events surrounding Sheila’s passing, and many questions remain unanswered as investigations continue.’
Questions have also now been asked in Kenya’s parliament, with one MP demanding authorities do a ‘thorough investigation’ into Ms Chebii’s death.
‘Sheila left Kenya on April 4, 2026. Barely two months after, she was found dead,’ said National Assembly member Timothy Toroitich.
‘This is a young lady who was carrying the dreams and aspirations of her family.
Questions have been raised in Kenya’s parliament around the circumstances of her death
Her heartbroken family are trying to raise funds to help repatriate her body to Kenya
‘So far, there has been no major truth on the death of Sheila…as the government, we have an obligation to protect the lives of our young people.’
Kenya’s High Commission, based in Canberra, has since provided the public an update amid growing discontent among Australia’s Kenyan community.
‘The High Commission is aware of concerns raised by members of the Kenyan community regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident,’ a statement from May 25 reads.
‘In this regard, the Mission is actively engaged with the relevant Australian authorities.’
A GoFundMe has now been set up to help Ms Chebii’s family pay towards any legal and administrative costs, funeral arrangements and the repatriation of her body to Kenya.
‘She was a cherished daughter, sister, and friend whose kindness and presence deeply impacted all who knew her in both Kenya and Australia,’ organiser Elvis Langas said.
‘Her sudden passing has left the family devastated emotionally and facing significant financial strain as they navigate this painful loss from afar.
‘The family is currently working through ongoing legal and official processes, including awaiting the Coroner’s report to help clarify the circumstances surrounding her passing.’
The fundraiser has already raised $3,000 of a $12,000 goal.
The Daily Mail has contacted Meriton Suites for comment.
