Father of Slain Nursing Student Threatens Legal Action Against Police and Landlord in Texas Murder Case
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| Picture of Elizabeth Odunsi |
John Odunsi, the grieving father of Elizabeth Odunsi, a British-Nigerian nursing student tragically stabbed to death in her Houston, Texas apartment, has vowed to pursue legal action against both the Houston Police Department and his late daughter's landlord. Odunsi alleges potential negligence and failure to provide adequate protection that ultimately contributed to his daughter's untimely demise.
Elizabeth, also known as Tamilore, was found murdered in her Texas apartment on April 26, just days before she was scheduled to graduate from an American university and embark on her promising career as a nurse. The circumstances surrounding her death have deeply shaken her family and sparked outrage among the Nigerian community in the United States and abroad.
According to reports from the Houston Police Department, Elizabeth's roommate, Chester Grant, was discovered at the scene of the crime suffering from at least one stab wound. Grant was immediately transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Nearly a week after Elizabeth's death, on May 2, Grant was arrested and formally charged with her murder. The 40-year-old suspect has been remanded in custody at Harris County Jail in Texas, with a substantial bond set at $500,000 (approximately £375,000).
Driven by a desire to seek justice for his daughter and hold those responsible accountable, John Odunsi has declared his intention to take the police and her daughter's landlord to court if further investigations reveal that the US authorities failed in their duty to protect her.
Speaking from his home in East London, Odunsi conveyed his deep sense of betrayal and disappointment. "If there are failings, we will take legal action … I feel failed by the police from what I’ve heard," he told the Evening Standard.
Odunsi expressed concern that the police had visited his daughter’s apartment on multiple occasions and should have been aware of Grant's criminal background, suggesting a potential failure in their investigative and protective duties. He further questioned the extent of background checks conducted on Grant before he became Elizabeth's roommate. "The landlord should’ve done the necessary checks on the tenant who was staying with my daughter. I don’t know what sort of vetting was done on the roommate, that’s what we’re trying to ascertain, but unfortunately, it won’t bring back my lovely daughter," Odunsi lamented.
In a poignant moment of remembrance, Elizabeth's sister, Georgina, attended her school, Texas Woman’s University, on Monday to receive her graduation award posthumously. This act of remembrance underscored the profound loss experienced by the Odunsi family and served as a reminder of Elizabeth's unrealized potential and the bright future that was tragically cut short. The family's pursuit of legal action highlights their determination to ensure that those responsible for Elizabeth's death are brought to justice and that steps are taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.