Brkti Berhe is being remembered by friends and family as a person who brought “joy, laughter and warmth” into the lives of those around her.
The mother of four and wife, was stabbed to death at a park on Uplands Drive on the morning of Oct. 24.
Officials said the next day they charged 36-year-old Fsha Tekhle of Montreal with first-degree murder in connection to the stabbing. He had a domestic relationship with a family member of Berche, 36.
“Her life was innocently and tragically taken while watching her beautiful children play at the park,” a GoFundMe dedicated to Berche reads. The fundraiser aims to provide Berche’s family with support for funeral expenses and other costs associated with her death.
Her children are eight months, three, 10 and 15 years old. Two of them were looked after by witnesses moments after the attack, according to police.
“Her kindness and compassion was unmatched, and her unique ability to make those around her feel loved and comforted,” friends said of Berche. “(Her) spirit will forever be cherished in the hearts of those who knew her.”
Officials called the incident a femicide, the second of the year and also the second time Ottawa police have ever used the term. It is the killing of women and girls because of their gender.
It also marks the 17th homicide in the nation’s capital this year, with a total of 22 victims.
Bystanders assisted police with “crucial” detailed descriptions of the suspect who was seen fleeing the area of Uplands Drive and Paul Anka Drive in a vehicle.
“With the help of the public, who did some tremendous and courageous things yesterday, it was because of this that we were able to arrest him,” Trish Ferguson, deputy police chief, noted in a press conference.
Tekhle appeared in court Friday morning.