Dr. Talat Jehan Khan died Saturday after being stabbed multiple times while sitting at a picnic table in the common area of her apartment complex in Conroe, Texas.
According to KHOU 11, police say 24-year-old Miles Joseph Fridrich stabbed the 52-year-old pediatrician multiple times around 12:30 p.m. Witnesses told KHOU 11 that Fridrich came out of nowhere.
Dr. Khan had recently moved to the apartment complex in July with her 14-year-old daughter, ABC 13 reports. She took a job at Texas Children’s Pediatrics Conroe.
Wajahat Nyaz, Dr. Khan’s brother, said his little sister decided to move from Seattle to the Houston area because of the weather.
“She wanted to go somewhere it was sunny. She moved out here and she liked it, liked the sun and the warm weather,” Nyaz said.
Nyaz said that his sister loved both of her two children fiercely.
“Everything in her life revolved around those two things – her kids, her son and daughter, and her kids she looked after as a pediatrician,” Nyaz told ABC 13.
Dr. Khan was beloved by family members, friends and patients.
“This is an immeasurable loss for our family, completely unexpected,” Mahnoor Mangrio, Khan’s niece, told KHOU 11. “She’s a Muslim, strong in her faith, those are identifiable traits about her. She’s extremely loving, kind. She was my aunt … the best aunt.”
Family members say they aren’t aware of any connection between Khan and the suspect Fridrich, KHOU 11 reports. The police have also not discussed possible motives with the media.
The Council on American Islamic Relations has issued a statement offering condolences to Khan’s family. They say they are monitoring the investigation. Here is the statement in full according to ABC 13:
“Assalamu Alaikum
Regarding the doctor stabbed in Conroe yesterday: We at CAIR Texas pass along our sincerest condolences to the children and family Dr. Talat Khan leaves behind. Inna Lilah Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’oon. Allah grant her Jannah Firdaous, Amn. While the police have not released a motive for the killing, we want to assure everyone that we are in conversation with law enforcement agencies. We are unsure at this moment if this was a hate crime; however, given the tragic circumstances, we are paying very close attention to the investigation. We will continue to monitor the situation while we launch our own investigation and continue established dialogue with law enforcement. For the time being, we encourage the community to be vigilant and to keep the family in your Du’aa during this difficult time. May Allah make it easy for them. Amn.“
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