Accomplished doctoral student Anat Kimchi was killed in Chicago's Loop neighborhood, Saturday. The 31-year-old had moved to the United States with her family some 20 years ago. She had reportedly been in the Windy City to visit friends.
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Officials believe the suspect may have been a homeless man who ambushed Kimchi before stabbing her in the back and then fleeing the scene.
Kimchi was taken to the hospital, where she died of her injuries.
In a statement, the University of Maryland, where Kimchi was a doctoral candidate at the school's Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, said it "grieves the loss of Anat Kimchi, a brilliant young scholar. We offer our condolences to her friends and family during this difficult time."
Her department chairman described Kimchi as "a notably accomplished scholar," according to The Chicago Sun Times.
Kimchi's family has asked for privacy while they mourn her death, The Chicago Sun Times reported a family spokeswoman as saying.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said police were "scouring the various homeless encampments downtown." Of the crime, she said, "It's awful. No question about it," according to a report in The Chicago Sun Times.
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