A community group is organizing efforts to raise money to support the family of an African refugee who was slain in Toronto this week.
Nighisti Semret, who moved to Canada from Eritrea, was fatally stabbed in an alley near Ontario and Winchester streets in Cabbagetown as she walked home from work Tuesday morning.
The 55-year-old mother of three lived alone in a rooming house and dreamed of bringing her family to Canada.
Her mother, brothers and children live in Uganda, according to police.
Haile Kifle of the Eritrean Community Centre of Metro Toronto said the organization is planning to accept monetary donations at the St. Michael’s Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church.
Where the money goes depends on decisions made by the Canadian government because it is unclear what will happen to Semret’s body, Kifle told CP24’s Katie Simpson.
If she is buried in Canada, the donations will be sent to her family in Uganda, Kifle said.
If her body is sent to her family in Uganda, the money will be used to pay for transportation costs and any leftover funds will be forwarded to the family.
A trust fund, called the Nighisti Semret memorial fund, has also been set up at RBC Royal Bank.
Donations can be made to account # 059521003425.
Meanwhile, for the third consecutive night, a candlelight vigil to mourn Semret is being held at the homicide scene.
People gathered at a growing memorial in the alley Wednesday and Thursday nights, where they consoled each other and discussed community safety concerns.
On Thursday night, participants planted a tree in her memory in Winchester Square Park.
Semret’s killing is unsolved, as police continue to hunt for a male suspect who approached her from behind in the alley.
Investigators are asking Cabbagetown residents to check their properties for a knife that may have been discarded by the suspect.
Anyone who finds a knife is asked not to touch it and call police immediately.
Police are looking for a white male who is five-foot-10 to six-foot-two and 150 to 200 pounds with a medium build.
At the time of the attack, he was wearing a three-quarter length dark coat, a light or white scarf around his neck, a dark hat with a peak, dark pants and dark shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
With files from CP24 reporter Katie Simpson
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