A tragic domestic incident in New Orleans has drawn widespread attention after a 29-year-old Nigerian man, Chukwuebuka Eweni, was taken into police custody for allegedly stabbing his father and two sisters. The attack, which occurred inside the family’s home, resulted in the death of his father and left his two sisters hospitalised.
Suspect Charged With Second-Degree Murder and Attempted Murder
Authorities have confirmed that Chukwuebuka Eweni faces one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. The fatal attack happened on Tuesday night inside a residence on Pebble Drive in New Orleans East, a community that the heartbreaking event has now shaken.
Victim Identified as Long-Serving SUNO Professor
The victim has been identified as 75-year-old Dr. Samuel Eweni, a respected computer science professor at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). Dr. Eweni was widely regarded as a pillar of the academic community, known for decades of teaching, research contributions, and mentorship.
Two female relatives, believed to be Eweni’s daughters, also sustained stab wounds. One has since been discharged from the hospital, while the other remains under medical supervision but is expected to recover.
Family Reports Long-Term Mental Health Struggles
US media reports, citing close family members, revealed that Chukwuebuka had battled mental health challenges for years. Relatives noted that, despite his struggles, he had no history of violence. The day of the incident was described as uneventful and routine, leaving loved ones unsure of what may have triggered the sudden outburst.
After the stabbing, Chukwuebuka reportedly went to New Orleans East Hospital, a facility he frequented for mental health support. Unaware of the attack, hospital staff later transferred him to a mental health facility in Jefferson Parish, where officers located and arrested him the following morning.
SUNO Mourns the Loss of a Scholar and Mentor
In a heartfelt statement, Dr. Joseph Bouie Jr., Chancellor of SUNO, honored Dr. Eweni’s legacy, describing him as a mentor, educator, and guiding presence within the university community.
“Dr. Eweni was more than an educator—he was a mentor and a guiding light to many students. His leadership within the College of Business and Public Administration and his commitment to transforming lives through education will continue to be celebrated,” the statement read.
SUNO also extended condolences to the grieving family, colleagues, and friends affected by the tragedy.
Related Case: Nigerian Woman in Texas Charged With Murder After Daughter Dies in Hot Car
In a separate and equally heartbreaking case, another Nigerian living in the United States faces murder charges involving a minor. Gbemisola Akayinode, a 36-year-old resident of Texas, was arrested and charged with felony murder following the death of her nine-year-old daughter, Oluwasikemi Akayinode.
Child Died From Hyperthermia After Being Left in a Car
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Oluwasikemi died from hyperthermia, a condition caused by extreme heat exposure. Investigators say the incident took place on July 1, when the child was left inside a car for more than eight hours near an industrial site on Mayo Shell Road in Galena Park, close to Houston.
Temperatures that day reached 99°F (37°C).
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed the mother’s arrest on October 17, noting that the county’s forensic institute officially ruled the death a homicide.
Details From the Investigation Court documents reveal the following:
Akayinode left her daughter in the vehicle while she worked at a nearby manufacturing facility.
The child was left with food, water, a rechargeable fan, ice cubes, and melatonin to encourage her to sleep.
The car’s rear windows were partially lowered, and the windshield was covered, making the interior difficult to see from outside.
When Akayinode returned around 1:53 p.m., she found her daughter unresponsive. Emergency responders attempted CPR, but the child was later pronounced dead at LBJ Hospital.
History of Bringing the Child to Work
Investigators also reported that the mother had previously brought the child to her workplace due to financial difficulties and an inability to secure child care. Shockingly, police later learned that her supervisor had been covering her child-care expenses.
Akayinode allegedly blamed prescription medication for her daughter’s condition while acknowledging that she had administered melatonin the night before and again on the morning of the incident. A Growing Conversation on Mental Health, Parenting Pressures, and Family Tragedies
Both cases have intensified public conversations surrounding mental health awareness, access to support systems, parenting stress among low-income families, and the consequences of untreated psychological issues. Communities across the United States—especially immigrant populations—continue to grapple with these issues as authorities investigate both incidents further.
These tragedies also highlight the urgent need for:
Stronger mental health intervention programs
Early-access counseling services
Improved support for immigrant families facing economic hardship
Community-based systems that identify early warning signs
As investigations continue, both families and affected communities are calling for justice, healing, and reforms that can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
