By Andrea Lorenz | Austin-American Statesman
AUSTIN, TEXAS — A woman found dead in a Williamson County apartment Monday has been identified as Senait Worku Abebe, 26, according to the Williamson County sheriff’s office.
Senait, an immigrant from Ethiopia, appears to be the victim of a murder-suicide at the Rattan Creek Luxury Apartment Homes, at Parmer Lane and Dallas Drive, according to sheriff’s reports. The body of a man believed to have killed Senait also was found in the apartment. The sheriff’s office has not released the man’s name pending notification of his family.
Investigators believe Senait and the man were cab drivers.
21 thoughts on “Ethiopian woman found dead in Texas”
i really feel bad for both of them and there family i cant imagine how there family are coping. what is it Ethiopian killing Ethiopians? what is wrong with us as people as a nation? i am really very sad.
Who killed who? The man killed the woman? Or the woman killed the man? Waste of human lives. Sympathy to both families.
very sad news allah bless their soul
Entering a new society and culture without enough interpersonal education leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction in the lifestyles of many. This is not the first when one kills the partner and ends it’s own life within the Ethiopian-American community. The underlying cause could be explained as transition from the Ethiopian culture to the new culture can cause friction and mental unstabilty. This is an issue that needs to be adressed collectively.
This is really tragic! I feel really sad and helpless about the situation. I actually started a thread about the notion of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy among Ethiopians on the general discussion the other day for the sole purpose of preventing such heartbreaking stories. I think the more we know and familiarize ourselves with psychotherapy or any kind of mental therapy for that matter, the better we are. I am not here to pass judgment in anyway nor do I know what went wrong in that house for sure but I have this believe that people act out in such a violent way to their problems only when they feel trapped and that they think that there is NO OTHER ALTRENATIVE to their problems. They don’t realize that there is an alternative and that they CAN GET HELP! I am almost certain that this particular person must have had tired to cry out problems to family or friends the best way one knew how, before taking such a drastic measure. Please keep in mind that I am not here to justify what has been done here but only to raise our consciousness about how important it is to know the alternative solution to our frustrations and deeply seeded problems! I feel bad and my condolences to the families and friends and everybody that has been affected by this tragedy.
It’s sad. If they are both cab-drivers,Is that about money? My initial thought was about relationship/affair…
Looks like one of them (probably the man) committed sucide after taking one’s life.
Very sad indeed for Ethiopia(ns) and humanity at large.
it is the women who are abusing their relationship once they arrive in United States. They mix-up both cultures and pick only what suites them. they get impressed by the american women and they start to say i am independent blah blah blah. at the same time, they required the ethio man to do everything for them (the life style in ethiopia). In most of the murder cases, they drive the guy nuts and the guy snaps to commit such tragedy. there need to be a good counceling for the women. coming from a lose culture is dangerous for the women
AG and biniam (comments 4 and 6),
I think you have very valid points. If these points get translated to actions, they will be more helpful to those in need. We need to exercise our power to act; that will make a big difference. These are sad situations and we need to use every feasilbe opportunity we get to inform our people who are at different levels of exposures to education, culture, and our living environments.
This is just a short note to add to comments made #4, 5, & 6.
Recently early June 2009 here in state of Florida near Miami, very young and successful Eritrean (age 44-47)man (name Yosef) committed suicide leaving behind his wife and two children (age 6,and 2). The husband and wife had some family problems; each of them had their separate lawyers. (you know what lawyers do at their best — drive everybody to the extreme. Before their problem solved he took his life. very sad.
condolence to the family and friends
hey guys ! are U surprised? if so u are naive. this has been our culture. Isn’t it common in Ethiopia for a husband to beat his wife any time he feels like doing it? The difference here is that since he can not do that and get away with it, he has to go all the way to taking his life and his wife’s life. so the solution I think is that let us get together and submit a request to the US government to allow ethiopian husbands to freely beat their wives. Otherwise, the tragedy will continue and we, husbands shall kill our wives and ourselves till we cease to exist on the planet earth.
Yehenew habesha beAmerica!
5# Alemash says:
The best psychotherapy ever existed is to get together and construct a new and tolerant democratic Ethiopia where the rights all Ethiopians be it individuals and groups are fully empowered and protected as well as physical, spiritual, material, etc. securities totally guaranteed, where all Ethiopians fully enjoy being in their mother land among families, friends, neighbourhoods and communities, where travelling is only voluntary for pleasure, business and governemntal. You do these I bet that you will eliminate 90% of all these murders and suicides with out any kind of book psychotherapy al Dr.Freud. :)
6# biniam says:
You are right in recommending couceling for both but damn wrong in claiming that coming to a new culture is dangerous for women alone because it may be dangerous for both but not only for women alone and it is much more less dangerous for women since they are flexible and can select all the goodies from the new culture, leave bad ones from th old culture while keeping those that are good for them. THAT IS ACTUALLY WHAT IT SHOULD BE! IT IS A MARK OF SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SOCIAL SKILLS.
How else can you survive in a dynamic and changing societies and communities? By being totally stiff and static, clinging 100% to all of those old and archaic medieval habits and values? NO THANKS! Culture is dynamic and changing whether Ethiopian or American, so get used to it for your own good as well as mental and physical health.
Is this what they call it an American dream? What’s wrong with these people travelled all the thousands mile to get there and ended up just like this…What a waste of a human life…..common people…. murder or sucide is not a solution..may R.I.P
i dont know why such things happen in europe and america to our society am very sorry for both of them .but things show that its all about the money and love i can not say she or he is wrong
biniam what are you talking about ?women do this women did that…my brother how come you don’t say any thing about the irresponsible men who hide them selves under the sand once the women give birth? how about the men who expect their wives to do it all , like being a mom, wife and going out and bringing top dollar? while the good old husband relaxes watching TV? I have witnessed a lot of women going through ugly life, like they say (gosh le lijua setel tewegach)
R.I.P.
It is the ultimate result of the Money lover ,for those who do not respect each othe (even the wife and husband in this country )
Life is short please respect each other and be free from sin.
My brothers and sisters,
This tragedy is repeatinmg itself. We have to stop it. I am using every medium to promote the following ideas.
1)Establish an educational committee of prevention of domestic violence in your neighborhoods, communities and churches. Include women and men. have one session twice a month. Invite your social worker, faith leaders , community elders and experts to provide volunteer education.
2)Never mediate a situation that is hot and a threat of killing by the husband is mentioned. Do not buy guns. You may hear about the first amendment here in America about carrying a gun or a concealed weapon. Guns are very bad among immigrants in the process of social adjustment in a new culture. ‘Our fuse may be short in time of depression, pressure and uncertaintity”. Argument+ gun+ alcohol or depression are recipes for disaster. In reality ownining a gun cannot save you from a criminal who is armed himself/ herself. Guns are for law enforcement and military.We have learned in our country that guns do not bring freedom and happiness. I respect the American way of life and its constitution -minus its obsession with guns.
3) Educate your community about legal remedies, Ex Parte Protection Orders in case of violence.
4)Teach about patience, tolerance and forgiveness in your committee sessions.
5)Provide peaceful alternatives to your families, neighbors, aquentances and coworkers if you hear about
bitterness.
6) Report to authorities if you sincerely and with relative certainty know that domestic violence is going to happen to save lives.
7) Always cool down an angry man or woman to find an alternative soberly and do not put gasoline on the fire, watch your words if you are close friends or relatives.
8) Seek a certified marriage counselor, preferably from your culture,- you do not go to an MSW who is clueles about interelated factors like culture, faith, economic hardships, money mismanagement, severe PTSD, cultural assimilation and diversity.
9)Do not be afraid to encourage a person with unusual behavior or mental issues to see a mental health professional.
10) Enlist yourself to be a didicated activist against domestic violence beyond politics, hobby or profession.
11) Be your brothers’ or sisters’ keeper.
12) Do not argue infront of your precious children. When situations push you to the brink always remeber your children and your faith.
You may have additional points, but think about establishing Comittees against Domestic Violence within your communities. Share solutions to your friends and families.
This is the second incidence in Houston. I have lost a friend a few years ago. Her boyfriend decided to shoot her and shoot himself. This was not over money but rather control, men feel all sorts of self doubt if a women decides to end the relationship. Get over it and move on. We Ethiopian women don’t stand up to the men as well. Out of many African women I have seen, we give our powers to men easily. It is considered unlady like to stand up and speak out in our culture. This has ascertained all the negative behaviour of the men. The men need to reeducate themsleves and see women as their equal life partner, helpmate and not someone they can manipulate and contol. It is very stressful for many women I know here in the US. Beating and screaming is all part of the menu…what can I say we are backwards and I see even the ones with PhD going home to bring someone and so they can have 100% control. It is a shame…men need to establish their own workshop and grow up both at home and here in the US. I think you can do this guys..
This is a very sad situation. I live where this happened and I know the family of the girl. I want you all to know that they are REALLY SWEET people. Strong Christians, and friendly towards people. Our community has come together in such a wonderful way to support them and help with anything they need. That is the possitive aspect of this nightmare.
While I don’t care to go into the details, I will tell you that they were NOT DATING/married and that he did infact kill her before killing himself. It’s sad for everyone involved… there is So much that the news hasn’t reported.. but it is better that way. It’s not easy… please please pray for our community and for the families involved. Betam tselot yasfeligenal. Egzabihair yebarkachu.
Comment made by # 7
Shame on you biniam. To comment such a thing with out any findings from the police or understand the whole thing is irresponsible and arrogant. Get the fact and comment. This is a sad day fro the Williamson County community. This is not a game.
Ethiopian woman here in the United States or back home have been working hard raising their kids, help at home and be the rock of any family. Women think about their family first than their ego. It is truly sad people like you leave in bubbles.
For you to blame woman is unheard off. Men chauvinist speak the way you do to cover their own faults. From the way you comment to this devastating situation I think you are one of the horrible men chauvinists.