A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was serving in Africa has died of unknown causes, according to a church spokesperson.
Authorities said the man may have had health issues that hadn’t been diagnosed.
Tshiama Anaclet Tshiama, 24, was serving in the Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan East Mission, said spokesperson Sam Penrod. He died Sunday, though church officials in Salt Lake City weren’t made aware of the incident until Thursday.
Penrod said Tshiama’s companion discovered him unresponsive on Dec. 19. The missionary was then transported to a hospital where he later died.
“His cause of death remains unknown at this time, but preliminary reports suggest it is the result of an undiagnosed medical condition,” according to Penrod.
“We send our love to Elder Tshiama’s family and to all those who served alongside him during his missionary service,” Penrod continued. “(We) pray they will feel the peace of the Savior’s love during this difficult time.”
Tshiama was from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to a statement from the Church.