Alongside her, her boyfriend, Matthew Oguche, also lost his life. Mooney, employed by Mercy Corps, died from gunshot wounds during the attack.
The incident, detailed at an inquest in Manchester Coroner's Court, occurred when bandits attempted to raid Kajuru Castle resort. Mooney, a University College London and London School of Economics graduate, had a significant career in international aid. She had been with Mercy Corps since 2017 and had previously worked in various global locations.
Dyah Audu, Mercy Corps' security manager in Kaduna, explained that Mooney's visit to the resort was personal and outside his advisory capacity. He indicated that the area was known as dangerous. The attack was initiated by about ten individuals and was not terror-related but motivated by kidnap and ransom, a common issue in the region.
Mooney's father described her as fun-loving, hard-working, and brave, emphasizing her commitment to internationalism and the profound impact her loss had on her family and friends worldwide.