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Ramsey couple killed in Kenya

A Change.org petition is calling on the State Department to work with the Kenyan government to investigate the deaths.

RAMSEY, Minn. — At a vigil in Brooklyn Center Tuesday night, friends and family mourned the deaths of a Ramsey couple that was killed in Kenya last week.

According to a GoFundMe started on behalf of the family, Edward and Grace Morema were killed at their home in Nyamakoroto village, Nyamira County on March 21. The couple, who also lived in Anoka County, leave behind five children, four of whom live in the Twin Cities and one who lives in Kenya, the fundraiser said.

Family told KARE 11 that the Moremas, who became U.S. citizens in 2002, were back in their home country for the winter.

"They have been doing development projects together, they have been going around doing their normal stuff," the couple's oldest son Cliff said. He said his parents were reportedly tortured, and video of the brutal killings was recorded and posted on social media.

"Our friends have been looking at them and they told us not even to try and look at it because it's very horrible," he said.

According to the local media outlet Nation Africa, police arrested two suspects over the weekend in connection to the killings. Cliff said one of the people arrested was the family's gardener.

A Change.org petition calling for the U.S. Department of State to work with the Kenyan government on investigating the Morema's killings has more than 1,200 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

“My heart is with the family, friends, and loved ones of Edward and Grace Morema both in Minnesota and in Kenya," Senator Amy Klobuchar said in a statement. "It’s important that we get a full account of the details surrounding this tragedy, and my office is in contact with the State Department.” 

Santor Tina Smith echoed Klobuchar's sentiments, saying “I was incredibly saddened to hear about what happened to Edward and Grace Morema. My heart hurts for their children, family, and friends as they mourn this unimaginable loss. They will be in my thoughts during this difficult time." Sen. Smith said her office has also been in touch with the State Department.

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