This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
On June 14, 2019, the body of Norah Jelagat, a 24-year-old undergraduate student at Stanford University, USA, was found in her campus residence. A subsequent medical report revealed that she had committed suicide by poisoning in June 2019.
Norah, who was the fourth-best student in Kenya in the 2013 KCSE exams, had joined Stanford University in 2014 to pursue Computer Science Engineering. She was passionate about artificial intelligence and machine learning, according to the university.
Despite her academic achievements, Norah's death remains a mystery. Her father, Dr. Peter Borus, told the Nation that the university and other US authorities are conducting investigations.
As the family mourns Norah's loss, they have asked the public to let them grieve in peace. In a statement, they said, 'We are distraught as a family and with heavy hearts, we ask for your prayers and seek your understanding and indulgence to allow us mourn privately. We are so far working well with Stanford University and relevant authorities to conclude the matter.'
On July 3, 2019, Norah was laid to rest at her father's home in Elgeyo Marakwet.
