A London-born student nurse who moved to the United States to pursue her dream career was tragically stabbed to death in her Texas apartment — just days before her graduation. Her roommate has now been charged with her murder following what police say was a dispute over a cat.
Elizabeth Tamilore Odunsi, 23, known to friends and followers as Tamilore Odunsi, was found dead on the kitchen floor of her Houston apartment on Saturday, 26 April. She had sustained multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Her roommate, 40-year-old Chester Lamar Grant, was discovered in a bedroom of the same flat with a stab wound of his own and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. After recovering sufficiently, he was formally arrested on Friday, 2 May, and charged with the murder of Ms Odunsi.
Grant is currently being held at Harris County Jail, with bail set at $500,000 — approximately £375,000. In a preliminary hearing, a magistrate confirmed that the altercation that led to the fatal incident reportedly centred on an argument about Grant’s pet cat.
Ms Odunsi’s sudden and violent death has left her family in the UK devastated. The aspiring nurse had moved from London to the United States to study nursing and was just days away from receiving her degree. Her family is now fundraising to repatriate her body to Britain and give her what they describe as “the peaceful and dignified farewell she deserves”.
In a moving tribute posted on a GoFundMe page, her relatives described Tamilore as “a beautiful soul, full of light, ambition, and kindness”.
“Tragically, Tami was brutally murdered just days before she was set to graduate from university — an unimaginable loss at a moment that should have marked the beginning of a bright and promising future,” the statement read.
“A devoted Christian, she was a God-fearing young woman who found strength and joy in her faith. She had a deep love for her church community, where she was actively involved and always eager to serve others with humility and grace.”
Ms Odunsi was also a well-known social media figure, boasting over 30,000 followers across platforms where she shared insights into her life as a British student living in Houston. Her vibrant personality and positivity attracted a loyal following, and she often spoke about her ambitions to work in children’s healthcare.
“Tami had a special love for children and always dreamed of making a difference in young lives through her future work in healthcare,” the family added. “Outside of her studies, she brought joy to others through her love for creating content and expressing her vibrant personality.”
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Houston Police were called to the flat at around 3:50pm on the day of the killing after receiving a request for a welfare check. Officers found blood on the back patio of the property, prompting them to forcibly enter the apartment, where they discovered Ms Odunsi’s body.
Detectives H. Martinez and S. Chettry from HPD’s Homicide Division are continuing to investigate the case. A motive beyond the reported row over the cat has not yet been confirmed publicly, and authorities are expected to release further updates as the case progresses.
The news has sparked an outpouring of grief both in the UK and the US, with many expressing disbelief that such a promising young woman could lose her life so senselessly.
A vigil is being planned by members of her church community in Houston, while her family in London are working tirelessly to raise funds to bring her home.
Police are urging anyone with additional information about the case to come forward as they continue to piece together the events leading to Tamilore Odunsi’s tragic death.
