A GRADE 12 female pupil of Mazabuka’s St Patrick’s Secondary School in Southern Province has been found dead hours after she left home to attend a funeral.

According to witnesses, the body of Nelly Sakala aged 17, was found half naked dumped near the old Salvation Army Church within Mazabuka in the early hours of today.

Her grandmother said Nelly left home last evening to go and attend a funeral in the company of two unknown young men.

Close to her half naked body, a hoody, headsock and shirt where found suggesting she may have been raped before being murdered.

Police are yet to comment on the matter.