Polish anti-corruption activist investigating Ecuador president's family business found murdered

Activists in Ecuador say Monika Silva Koniuszek, a Polish anti-corruption activist who had been investigating allegations linked to the family business of right-wing President Daniel Noboa, was murdered to silence her.

Silva Koniuszek's body, 41, was discovered in her home in the coastal town of Montañita, Santa Elena province, on June 8. She was a single mother of two daughters, aged 4 and 9. When found, she lay on the floor with a noose around her neck.

A day after her death and before autopsy results were released, Ecuador's Interior Minister John Reimberg stated the initial hypothesis was suicide. He told local media: 'The necessary evidence to reach that conclusion was found at the scene.'

However, last Friday, an autopsy in Guayaquil determined the cause of death to be a blow to the head and strangulation. Lawyer Lita Martínez, director of the Center for Promotion and Action for Women of Ecuador, said: 'Based on forensic reports, we are certain this was a violent death; therefore, the assumption of suicide completely collapses.'

Silva Koniuszek had spent the past decade denouncing environmental crimes and corruption on social media, collaborating with local journalists. On her personal page, she once wrote: 'You don't have to be born in Ecuador to love and defend what is right.'

Beth Pitts, 47, a British author and companion in local campaigns, described: 'Monika was the bravest person I have ever met. She was often a lone voice, openly and forcefully denouncing corruption and environmental crime when everyone else was too afraid to speak out. Beyond her activism, she was a devoted single mother and a wonderful friend. Even when receiving death threats, she still took time to ask how I was and offer support.'

According to colleagues, Silva Koniuszek had begun investigating Noboa Trading, the fruit conglomerate owned by President Daniel Noboa's family. She pursued allegations that multiple tons of cocaine had been seized in Noboa Trading's banana containers, but senior Ecuadorian judicial officials obstructed investigations. Just before her murder, she told friends she had submitted a dossier of allegations to the U.S. Embassy in Quito.

She also investigated allegations that politically connected figures in Santa Elena province were involved in a large-scale land trafficking ring. Friends say Silva Koniuszek was facing harassment from the judicial system and explicit death threats, believed to be linked to the same criminal network that assassinated fellow activist and local journalist Robinson del Pezo in November 2025.

Silva Koniuszek's death has shaken Poland, her home country, with skepticism about initial reports that she took her own life. Friend Joanna Cuper told TVP Info that the activist had said she was being 'followed and watched.' She added: 'None of us believe she committed suicide. She said gangs had put a bounty on her head. Three years ago, her ex-husband took the children to Brazil because she was receiving threats that she and the children would be killed.'

Poland's public prosecutor's office confirmed last week it had requested judicial assistance from Ecuadorian authorities in investigating her death and wanted to participate closely in the process. The Polish Embassy in neighboring Peru expressed hope that 'the competent authorities will conduct a swift, thorough, independent, and transparent investigation' to 'clarify the circumstances of the case and ensure accountability.' The embassy stressed: 'The importance of protecting human rights defenders, journalists, social activists, and all individuals engaged in civic life.'

The community in Montañita has set up a memorial for Silva Koniuszek with photos and flowers, lighting candles for several days. Local street artists painted a mural, and neighbors named a street after her.