A close friend has confirmed the identity of a woman who was tragically killed on January 5 in Saanich, British Columbia, as Laura Gover. Gover was a respected business professor at both Vancouver Island University and Camosun College, as described by Kelsea McLaughlin, who had a 25-year friendship with her. McLaughlin emphasized Gover’s role as a dedicated mother to her two young daughters, aged seven and 11.
Expressing profound sorrow over the loss, McLaughlin initiated a fundraiser to support Gover’s children, which has garnered nearly $110,000 in donations by Tuesday evening. The funds raised will be managed in a trust for the benefit of Gover’s daughters in the future.
In a recent development, Saanich police revealed that Muhammed Basar, identified as Gover’s former husband by McLaughlin, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death. Basar was apprehended on January 5 at the 1600 block of Blair Avenue and is scheduled to appear in court on January 21. The case has been classified as a “K file,” indicating a situation of alleged intimate partner violence according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.
Camosun College expressed shock and deep sadness at Gover’s untimely passing. In a statement attributed to college president Lane Trotter, it was mentioned that Gover had joined the business school at the university in the fall of 2021, bringing with her a wealth of experience in post-secondary education and management training. The college community, including students and staff, is profoundly impacted by the loss and support services are being arranged for those in need of grief counseling.