'Sweetest Soul,' NJ College Student Killed By Father In Bat Attack, Police Say

VOORHEES TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 22-year-old woman who was killed by her father in South Jersey this week was a student at Temple University, according to university officials. Her mother, who was hospitalized in the attack, is a Temple employee at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, officials said in a letter to the community.

“The circumstances surrounding this situation are tragic,” Temple University Associate Vice President & Dean of Students Stephanie Ives and Associate Vice President, Human Resources Sharon Boyle said in a joint statement. “We extend our thoughts and deepest sympathies to those who are closest to Katherine and Sheri, especially their family, friends, faculty, colleagues and classmates. We rally around Sheri and hope she will pull through her serious injuries to make a full recovery.”

Police found Katherine and Sheri Kelemen in their Voorhees home on Monday morning while responding to a 911 call about an assault on two people, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Voorhees Township Police Chief Louis Bordi.

Katherine Kelemen was taken to Jefferson University Hospital in Stratford to be treated for blunt force trauma, authorities said. She succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at 8:17 a.m., authorities said.

Sheri Kelemen remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Katherine’s father and Sheri’s husband, Gregory Kelemen, had been wanted in the assaults. His body was found on Tuesday, after he apparently took his own life. Read more here: NJ Man Accused Of Killing Adult Daughter Found Dead: Police

“This is a senseless tragedy that affects our entire Temple community, and the devastating incident remains under police investigation,” officials said. “Temple University is committed to supporting our community during this challenging time.”

After the fall break, the university encourages any student on campus who needs help to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services, located at 1700 N. Broad St. For more information on services and hours of operation, call 215-204-7276 or connect at the Tuttleman Counseling Services website.

Employees who are feeling overwhelmed or are in need of support are encouraged to take advantage of the university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP). LifeWorks provides free confidential counseling; referrals; and online access to articles, toolkits, podcasts, webinars and much more.

Friends of Katherine Kelemen were already expressing their grief on social media.

“Kat- you were one of the sweetest, purest souls I’ll ever have the privilege of knowing,” one friend wrote on Facebook. “In not so many words, you were able to show and make everyone around you feel like they had a friend in you no matter what. I’m so sorry this happened to you, rest easy, sweet baby.”

“I cannot believe what this family has just endured,” another friend wrote alongside a picture from their Eastern Regional High School graduation ceremony. “A wonderful soul has been robbed from us too soon. I’m truly devastated you are no longer with us today, but I’d love to take this time to remember Katie as the wonderful person she was and still is to me. RIP, and I pray for your mother’s recovery as well.”

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence hotline for help at 800-799-SAFE (7233), or go to www.thehotline.org for more. States often have domestic violence hotlines as well.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.