Ecuadorian activists say a Polish anti-corruption activist who investigated allegations against the family business of President Daniel Noboa was murdered to silence her, after a post-mortem revealed she died from a blow to the head and strangulation, contradicting the government's initial suicide claim.
Autopsy Results Contradict Suicide Claim
Monika Silva Koniuszek, 41, was found dead in her home in Montañita, Santa Elena province, on 8 June. The single mother of two daughters, aged four and nine, was discovered on the floor with a noose around her neck. A day after her death, before autopsy results were released, Interior Minister John Reimberg told local media that the initial hypothesis was suicide, citing evidence at the scene. However, on Friday, a post-mortem in Guayaquil determined the cause of death was a blow to the head and strangulation.
“Based on the forensic reports, we are certain that this was a violent death; therefore, the alleged suggestion that it was a suicide falls apart,” said attorney Lita Martínez, director of the Ecuadorian Centre for the Promotion and Action of Women.
Activism and Threats
Silva Koniuszek spent the last decade denouncing environmental crimes and corruption on social media and working with local journalists. Her social media profiles stated: “You don’t need to be born in Ecuador to love it and defend what is right.” Beth Pitts, 47, a British author and fellow activist who collaborated with her, said: “Monika was the bravest person I have ever met. She was often a lone voice, publicly and vociferously denouncing corruption and environmental crimes when everyone else was too afraid to speak out.” Pitts, who has lived in Ecuador for 13 years, added: “Beyond her activism, she was a dedicated single mother and a wonderful friend. Even when she was receiving death threats, she would still take the time to ask how I was doing and offer her support.”
Investigation into President Noboa's Family Business
Colleagues say Silva Koniuszek had begun investigating Noboa Trading, the fruit conglomerate belonging to President Noboa's family. She pursued allegations that several tonnes of cocaine had been seized in Noboa Trading banana containers, but high-ranking Ecuadorian judicial officials were stalling the investigations. Shortly before her death, she told friends she had delivered a dossier of allegations to the US embassy in Quito. She also investigated allegations that politically connected figures in Santa Elena province were implicated in a massive land-trafficking ring.
Judicial Harassment and Death Threats
Friends say Silva Koniuszek faced judicial harassment and explicit death threats, allegedly linked to the same crime networks that assassinated local journalist Robinson del Pezo in November 2025. Her friend Joanna Cuper told Polish broadcaster TVP Info that the activist claimed she was “followed and observed”. “None of us believe she killed herself,” Cuper said. “She said that the cartels had put a price on her head. Three years ago, her then husband took the children to Brazil because she was receiving threats that she and her children would be murdered.”
Polish Government Involvement
Silva Koniuszek's death made headlines in her native Poland, with scepticism over early suicide reports. The Polish prosecutor's office confirmed last week that it had requested mutual legal assistance from Ecuadorian authorities and suggested it would want to be closely involved in the investigation. The Polish embassy in neighbouring Peru said it hoped “the competent authorities will conduct a swift, thorough, independent and transparent investigation” to “clarify the circumstances of the case and ensure accountability”. It added: “The embassy of the Republic of Poland emphasises the importance of protecting human rights defenders, journalists, social activists and all individuals engaging in civic life.”
Community Mourning
The community in Montañita created a shrine to Silva Koniuszek, with photos and flowers, and kept candles burning for several days. Local street artists painted a mural, and neighbours renamed a street after her.
