SIU Professor Murder Case
Southern Illinois University Professor Kofi Akamani Killed in Shooting, Wife Charged With Murder
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Key Points
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Jackson County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an active shooting at about 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at a residence off Lake Road between Murphysboro and Carbondale. Akamani was transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead.
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Betty Akamani’s preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 6, according to a report citing the case proceedings.
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Akamani also directed SIU’s agricultural sciences doctoral program and served as director of graduate studies in forestry; he was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sustainable Forestry.
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The university provided specific support contacts: students could reach Counseling and Psychological Services at (618) 453-5371 or after-hours Connect@SIU at (1-833) 434-1217, while faculty and staff could use the Employee Assistance Program at (833) 955-3400.
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Akamani was born and raised in Ghana and earned degrees from institutions in Ghana, Norway and the United States. His honors included SIU’s 2016 College of Agricultural Sciences Early Career Faculty Excellence Award and the University of Idaho’s International Alumni Achievement Award.
Kofi Akamani, a 48-year-old Southern Illinois University professor, was fatally shot Saturday at a home off Lake Road in Jackson County. WSMV reported that Akamani, who joined SIU in 2011 and became a full professor in 2024, was pronounced dead at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. His wife, Betty Akamani, 35, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting.
Akamani directed the university's agricultural sciences doctoral program and served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sustainable Forestry. KFVS12 noted that he was recently elected secretary general of the International Union of Biological Sciences. The university has offered counseling services to students, faculty and staff, with a memorial service planned for a later date.
Distinguished Career in Environmental Science
Akamani earned degrees from institutions in Ghana, Norway and the United States. He won SIU's 2016 College of Agricultural Sciences Early Career Faculty Excellence Award and the University of Idaho's International Alumni Achievement Award. His research contributed to national and international environmental assessments throughout his career.
Shooting Reported Saturday Evening
Jackson County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of an active shooting at approximately 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, at a residence off Lake Road between Murphysboro and Carbondale. Fox Carolina reported that Akamani was transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead.
Wife Charged With First-Degree Murder
Betty Akamani was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Alaska's News Source noted that her preliminary hearing was scheduled for October 6. Authorities have provided limited details about the incident. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
University Provides Support Resources
SIU Carbondale identified Akamani as a faculty member in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences. The university made counseling available to affected students, faculty and staff. FOX8Live reported that students could reach Counseling and Psychological Services at (618) 453-5371 or after-hours Connect@SIU at (1-833) 434-1217.
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