A woman who was tragically killed on January 5 in Saanich, B.C. has been identified by a close friend as Laura Gover, a business professor at Vancouver Island University and Camosun College. Kelsea McLaughlin, a friend of Gover for 25 years, emphasized that the 41-year-old should be remembered as a dedicated mother to her two young daughters. To support the children, aged seven and 11, McLaughlin initiated a fundraiser. She described Gover as an exceptional friend, mother, and teacher, expressing both sorrow and anger at the unnecessary loss.
The fundraiser organized by McLaughlin has amassed nearly $110,000 by Tuesday evening, with the intention of establishing a trust for Gover’s daughters. Saanich police revealed that Muhammed Basar, identified as Gover’s ex-husband by McLaughlin, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the incident. Basar was taken into custody on the day of the incident, January 5, after police responded to a call on Blair Avenue. His upcoming court appearance is scheduled for January 21.
This case has been classified as a “K file,” a designation in the provincial court system indicating cases of alleged intimate partner violence. Camosun College expressed shock over Gover’s death, highlighting her recent tenure at the business school and extensive experience in post-secondary education and management training. The college president, Lane Trotter, conveyed the deep impact of Gover’s passing on the college community and those who knew her personally. The college announced that grief-counseling support will be available to assist staff and students coping with the loss.