WATCH ABOVE: Selma Alem, a single mother, was a professional caregiver who looked after two clients with disabilities in her Coventry Hills home. Last Monday, she was murdered, along with 25-year-old Julie Tran. Carolyn Kury de Castillo has more.
CALGARY – A funeral was held Sunday for one of the two women found murdered in a Coventry Hills home last Monday.
Fifty four year old Selma Alem and 25-year-old Julie Tran were both found stabbed to death in a home on the 200 block of Coventry Close N.E. at about 10 a.m.
READ MORE: Homicide unit investigating suspicious death of 2 women in northeast Calgary
Mourners lined up outside St. Michael Eritrean Orthodox Church in Bridgeland Sunday morning.
Michael Embaie was in attendance. He knew Selma for 30 years.
“A wonderful person. A very open minded person. A person who worked very hard,” said Embaie.
Selma Alem, a single mother, was a professional caregiver who looked after two clients with disabilities in her Coventry Hills home.
One of the clients was Tran.
Police say there is nothing to indicate the other client was involved in the murders.
“It’s extremely sad. Very difficult,” said Embaie.
Asgede Abed has known Selma for 25 years.
“She is very nice and kind. She’s the best mom. She worked two jobs to raise her kids,” said Abed.
Some of those expressing their sorrow on Sunday were also at the funeral of Selma’s son Micheal, who was murdered ten years ago in Calgary.
Alem spoke with Global News back then, about about her grief and then disheartenment that Michael’s killer was found guilty of manslaughter instead of second degree murder, in his violent death.
In 2005, her 18-year-old son Michael Tsehaie Kahsai was found dead in a Forest Lawn home, having been repeatedly struck with a meat cleaver. A 19-year-old offender was later convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years in prison.
“This kind of tragedy is just beyond any kind of explanation,” said Embaie.
Friends say Alem never recovered from the murder of her son. She battled cancer for years.
“She never showed any weakness as far as I’m concerned. She stood tall despite all this tragedy.”
Mourners say there are no words to express the adversity faced by Alem and how they feel for a family that has known so much sorrow.
“Today it’s happened to her. Ten years ago, her son (on) October 12. October 19 for her. She didn’t deserve it. Life is over. I miss her so much,” said Abed.
Police now have a person of interest in custody on related matters in the stabbing deaths of the two women.
Investigators say there is nothing to indicate the attack was random.
Comments