SYDNEY — Sheila Chebii, a 25-year-old international student from Kenya, died on May 17, 2026, after falling 15 storeys from Meriton Suites on Sussex Street in Sydney. Emergency services were called to the location at approximately 1:30 pm on that day.

Ms. Chebii was working as a housekeeper for a subcontractor at the hotel at the time of her death and had been employed as a room cleaner for a few weeks. NSW police stated there is no evidence indicating anyone else was involved in her death and have not released a cause. A report will be presented to the state coroner to determine if an inquest will be held.

SafeWork NSW confirmed it was making inquiries into the matter. Kenyan community leader Mathew Gitau said funds were being raised to repatriate Ms. Chebii's body. "The circumstances surrounding her death, together with the time it has taken to receive substantive updates from the relevant authorities, have left many community members with questions and concerns," Gitau said. "Sheila represented the aspirations of many young Kenyans who come to Australia seeking education, opportunity and a better future."

Ms. Chebii arrived in Australia on April 5, 2026, and planned to begin a master's degree in accounting. She had graduated from Kabarak University in Kenya. She lived with her cousin Faith Korir in Liverpool, about 30km west of Sydney's central business district. Korir said Ms. Chebii planned to start a new role as a cleaner on the Monday following her death. "We were doing life together," she said.

Korir said Ms. Chebii sent her last message at 12:36 pm on the day of her death, stating, "I'm doing very good." Ms. Chebii's older brother, Amos Chebii, traveled to Australia after her death. "We just want everything to be exhausted," he said.

Members of the Kenyan diaspora staged a protest outside the Meriton Suites hotel. The Kenyan high commission stated it has maintained contact with Australian authorities. A spokesperson for the commission said, "The Mission has not received any final findings or conclusions regarding the case."