PORTAGE (WKZO-AM) — The State Department has notified the family of a Portage Central High School and Kalamazoo College graduate that she’s been killed in Nepal after traveling to the remote country to provide earthquake relief.
Dahlia Yehia made her way to Nepal in late July and disappeared soon after. The family’s attempts to locate Yehia sparked an investigation in Nepal.
Police were able to learn that the 25-year-old reportedly secured lodging through a couchsurfing website, and, a few days later, was attacked by her landlord with a hammer and killed.
That landlord, Narayan Paudel, confessed to killing the young woman, claiming he put her body in a sack and dumped it in the river just over a month ago. He then reportedly attempted suicide by jumping out a window at the police station.
Paudel’s motive was not released. Yehia’s body has not been recovered.
“We are devastated by this senseless loss of a beautiful life,” Yehia’s family told mourners on a Facebook page set up to find the woman.
Portage Central staff also paid tribute.
“Dahlia represented what we might hope of all our students — she was an outstanding scholar, athlete and artist. She was a strong woman who desired to make the world a better place,” the school said.
A memorial service is being planned for Friday in Kalamazoo.
– John McNeill
