Nighisti Semret was 55 years old and originally from Eritrea
Nighisti Semret was 55 years old and originally from Eritrea. She worked for Andorra Building Maintenance, a company that had the contract to clean the Delta Chelsea Hotel. In Canada only two and a half years, Semret supervised the staff of 11 on the midnight-6:30 AM shift. On October 23rd she was walking home from work. It was raining – she was carrying an umbrella. She was only a few yards from her home at the Women’s residence when she became victim to a vicious, unprovoked attack. Video cameras show her walking in an alleyway and a few steps behind her a man is seen following her. This alleged attacker suddenly approached Semret from behind and began stabbing her repeatedly. Her screams woke neighbors and two men out collecting beer bottles tried to intervene – at one point knocking the knife out of the man’s hand. They said the man retrieved the knife and continued stabbing Semret, all the while cursing her until he finally fled the scene. Semret died where she lay – alone.
The description given was that the perpetrator was a White man and it is believed he walks with a slight limp. He is approximately 5’ foot-ten to 6-foot-two and weighs 150-200 pounds.He was wearing a dark three-quarter coat, dark pants, dark shoes, a dark peaked hat and a light colored scarf. Due to the weather the streets were empty and it was still dark. Neighbors said normally there would have been people out walking their dogs at this time. Surveillance video has been shown on local TV and police are asking for public assistance to help them identify the suspect. To date there has been no arrest but police say their efforts are ongoing.
Semret was known as a strong woman and a good worker (often working seven days a week) who kept mostly to herself while she saved to bring her four children to Canada. She left Eritrea in the hopes of making a better life for herself and her kids. Since the brutal slaying, hundreds of people have held vigils in the alleyway where Semret died. Flowers lined the wall and candles flickered – and many cried as prayers were said aloud. “It’s a wonderful statement of love,” said Shelly Ledger who lives nearby. She said the community support would help turn this tragedy into something positive. “This community isn’t going to tolerate this,” she added.
Semret’s husband, Augustus Ntahobali, lives in South Africa. Their children, two boys, two girls, range in age from 18-28. He hopes to travel to Toronto in late November and is in the process of obtaining a visa. He hopes to bring his wife’s body back to Africa. A ceremony was held November 4th at St. Michael’s Eritrean Orthodox Church in Toronto where Semret’s body received a priest’s blessing. Over 400 people attended.
The Delta Chelsea Hotel, where Semret worked and Andorra Building Maintenance Ltd. have set up a fund to help with funeral costs. The trust fund is at CIBC (Financial Institution #010) Transit #00322, Account #32-86134.
