Tuesday 18th, afternoon, Durham Police responded to a call at the Freedom House Recovery Center after reports of a woman stabbed.
According to her family, June Onkundi was stabbed to death by one of her patients while she was at work. And she died on the spot. Onkundi had worked as a nurse in the health care industry for years but had started working at the recovery center about three months ago.
The patient is said to be a serial criminal who has allegedly spent more than half his life in prison. He is reported to have been released recently after serving time in jail for other criminal activities such as attacking women.
Mourning
More than two dozen friends and family members gathered at Onkundi’s residence in Raleigh to mourn and celebrate on Wednesday evening.
The deceased’s brother Onditi Nunda, said that she was gone far too soon. And faultied the facility for not installing workplace safety measures which he argued would have saved their loved one.
“This is a dream that has been cut short. She felt that this was actually her calling. And so I think she could also be informed by her faith and background in serving this underserved community,’ he said.
“How did this happen because you would expect that there is workplace safety. The system let all of us down, the system let June down.”
“The same very population that she was the passion and desire to help, is the one that finally took her away from us and left us grieving with four children and a husband,” said Nyabwari.
Family members said Onkundi was set to begin a doctorate program at Duke in January 2023 to further her education and help.
Onkundi leaves behind four children all under the age of 16 and her husband.
By Wanjiru Mbaru