Court to deliver conviction in Mary Grace murder case on Monday as trials of Lamha and Marvin reach final stage

The conviction hearing of Marvin S. Y. Vargas, now known as Yusuf, and his girlfriend, Maldivian nurse Haleemath Lamha, in the murder case of Filipino nurse Mary Grace, has been scheduled for Monday.

The prosecution has charged Marvin with intentional homicide over Mary’s death. Lamha is charged as an accomplice to the murder, along with additional offences relating to the theft and misuse of restricted hospital drugs.

Although the two are accused in connection with the same crime, Marvin and Lamha are being tried separately. Hearings in both cases concluded last month, after which the court heard the summary statements.

A summary statement is the final submission made by both sides after the evidentiary stage of the trial. It outlines the core claims and arguments, and is the last word before the judge issues a finding of guilt and a verdict.

Case summary

Mary’s husband, Marvin, 30, took her body to IGMH in an ambulance on October 19, minutes after she had gone home for her break from work. He initially claimed she had died by suicide, and later changed his account to say she had suddenly collapsed.

Police found the circumstances suspicious and opened an investigation. Marvin was arrested on October 27, 2021, and Lamha was arrested on December 16, 2021.

An autopsy showed Mary died from blunt‑force injuries to her neck and head. Examiners also found traces of succinylcholine, a restricted anaesthetic used to induce short‑term paralysis, in her bloodstream. Investigators later recovered a used succinylcholine vial and two other controlled injections from Lamha’s apartment.

If convicted, Marvin faces a life sentence. Lamha faces a minimum of six years in prison.

While in custody, Marvin converted to Islam and has since changed his name to Yusuf. The Islamic Ministry has formally informed the court of his conversion.