A Kenyan security guard will face trial for the recent murder of Jennifer Brown, a 40-year-old American teacher who moved to Qatar two months ago, according to news reports.

When he was arrested, the guard was apparently found with money taken from the victim, her father, Robert Brown, said in an interview with US-based newspaper the Morning Call.

Qatar authorities also told Brown that the suspect admitted to the killing and faces the death penalty if convicted, the newspaper states.

It adds:

Brown’s father was told that his daughter’s new home would be safe.

“This is supposed to be one of the richest countries,” (Robert) Brown said. “The guy I talked to from there said this never happens. The cops don’t even work on the weekends. That’s how little crime they have.”

Meanwhile, in the absence of information from official sources, many residents in Qatar, especially single women, have said the incident makes them feel less safe here.

On Doha News, commenter Desert Witch said:

Very sad indeed for the family. But it raises the question of the safety of women living alone here. Teachers especially tend to get housed in not so good areas and often they are women on their own. I know other single female teachers who have expressed concern over where the school has housed them but the issue falls on deaf ears. Any woman walking alone is at risk.

Rumors about what actually happened also continue to swirl, but Brown’s father said an investigation is ongoing. He previously said that the crime appeared to be “a random act of violence.”

The Brown family awaits the release of their daughter’s body with plans to bury her in her hometown of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

Thoughts?

The photo in this article has been removed at the request of Brown’s employer, English Modern School, because it contained a minor whose parents have not given permission for the image to be published.