Sachin Hawkins: GoFundMe raises over $24K as New York teen studying in UK killed by housemate
KINGSTON, UNITED KINGDOM: Sachin Hawkins, 19, a student of the Univerity of Hull and an aspiring educator, was stabbed to death on the night of November 15, 2023.
Investigators believe that the Long Island, New York, native was killed by his roommate, 24-year-old Syed Hussain-Kazi.
Kazi was taken into custody on November 16 after an extensive search, as he fled the shared residence after the attack, reported NBC News.
Hawkin was reportedly stabbed in the kitchen and succumbed to his injuries later at the hospital where he was being treated, according to Humberside Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Jayne Goodens said in a statement, "This is thought to be an isolated incident between two people, believed to be known to each other, that took place inside a property. We do not believe there to be any wider risk to the public.”
Sachin Hawkins was training to be special education teacher
After graduating from Freeport High School on Long Island, Hawkins moved to England in 2022.
Speaking with NBC New York, Hawkin's mother said, "He wanted to make everyone proud and was a role model for the younger generation. Sachin was loved by everyone.”
"I'm totally confused. I haven't gotten to the anger phase. I'm just… why? What happened?" she asked.
She said that Hawkins was friends with the suspect and that she had spoken with the latter over the phone only days before her son’s death.
"What triggered it? That's the question we're all asking. Why Sachin?" the mother was left asking. "None of his friends, his other friends, who were there, no one knows."
GoFundMe created to bring Sachin Hawkins's body back home
After returning to Freeport, Hawkins is to be cremated following Hindu rituals.
The mother expressed that the UK police and their Long Island community have shown an outpouring of support.
"We've had so much support from neighbors, from family. From people that I didn't even know," she said.
The crowdfunding effort has already collected $24 thousand for the cause.
Syed Hussain-Kazi is expected to appear in court in the UK on November 27, stated Humberside Police.