An American college student has been stabbed to death in the Netherlands.
Sarah Papenheim, of Minnesota, died Wednesday afternoon after she was attacked at her Rotterdam apartment.
The 21-year-old was studying at Erasmus University, Rotterdam police told ABC Eyewitness News.
According to police, Papenheim was stabbed by a 23-year-old Dutch man who lived in the same building as the victim.
Sarah Papenheim (left and right), of Minnesota, was stabbed to death in the Netherlands on Wednesday. Papenheim was studying at Erasmus University when she was attacked inside her apartment
According to police, Papenheim, who was also a drummer, was stabbed by a 23-year-old Dutch man who lived in the same building as the victim. The suspect was arrested nearly an hour after Papenheim’s body was found
The suspect was arrested nearly an hour after Papenheim’s body was found.
Police believe the two were acquaintances. His identity has not been released.
A GoFundMe account set up by family and friends said the person who stabbed Papenheim was her roommate. No motive has been established.
Papenheim’s mother, Donee Odegard, also said the suspect was her daughter’s roommate.
Odegard said her daughter had complained about the suspect having a bad temper.
Papenheim’s mother, Donee Odegard (right), also said the suspect was her daughter’s roommate. Odegard said her daughter had complained about the suspect having a bad temper
Odegard (pictured) said she told her daughter to get out, but Papenheim would say that she was ‘his only friend’
She said she told her daughter to get out, but Papenheim would say that she was ‘his only friend’.
According to Odegard, her daughter was found in a pool of blood, ‘beat up and stabbed to death for no reason, but trying to be his friend’.
‘She’d walk right up to you like you were friends forever,’ Odegard told ABC Eyewitness News.
Family members said Papenheim was studying psychology with an emphasis in suicide, ‘which took her 21-year-old brother’s life three years ago’.
The Papenheim family lost their son, Josh, in 2015.
‘I’ve been through this before,’ Odegard told Fox 9. ‘I’ve cried so much my ducts are dry. I am in the angry stage now.’
The family said they are trying raise $40,000 to help cover expensive travel costs to bring Papenheim home.
Odegard will be flying to Rotterdam on Friday.
A GoFundMe account set up by family and friends said the person who stabbed Papenheim (pictured) was her roommate. No motive has been established
The 21-year-old was studying at Erasmus University (pictured). Family members said Papenheim was studying psychology with an emphasis in suicide, ‘which took her 21-year-old brother’s life three years ago’
‘Sarah was a beautiful, vibrant young woman and a talented musician with a smile that could light up a room,’ the GoFundMe read.
‘She played with some of the best musicians on the scene in the Twin Cities and had many close relationships with them. Her presence is irreplaceable. We love you, drummer girl.’
A spokeswoman for Erasmus University released a statement on ABC News.
‘The university is shocked by this terrible incident and is taking care of upset students and employees and will act towards relatives according to our protocols.
‘We encourage our students and staff not to let each other alone in this difficult time and to get in touch with student-advisors and psychologists if they want to,’ the statement read.