Bronx Siblings’ Deaths Ruled Homicides, Investigation Deepens
NEW YORK, NY – An investigation into the mysterious deaths of two children of Ghanaian immigrants in the Bronx in December is now a full-fledged murder investigation.
The tragic December incident involving the untimely deaths of two young siblings in the Bronx has taken a grim turn. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has officially ruled the deaths of 5-year-old George Kantanka and his sister Gianna Kantanka as homicides caused by smothering.
The revelation came to light on Thursday following an in-depth investigation into what was initially deemed a “medical tragedy.”
Upon responding to a 911 call on the morning of December 18, 2023, police discovered the siblings unresponsive in their sixth-floor apartment at 240 East 175th Street. At the time, their mother reported finding the children vomiting in their beds, noting they had been sick with similar symptoms at school before their deaths.
The mother was admitted to a hospital for observation and underwent a psychological examination by city health and law enforcement officials.
Initial findings by the Medical Examiner’s office indicated no signs of strangulation or bruising, adding complexity to the case.
The mother shared her bed with the children, while the father, a home health attendant, worked an overnight shift at the time of the children’s death. No charges have been filed as police continue to investigate what happened that night.
Initially, police believed the deaths to be of natural medical illness.