Sharmaine Magan Forpahl, a 32-year-old African American mother from Cleveland, Ohio, was stabbed to death in front of her five children on Thursday. The kids, ages 7 to 15, witnessed the brutal attack in their home. Cleveland Police found Forpahl’s body just steps from her front door. She had been stabbed multiple times. Her children were present during the attack.
Minutes before it happened, Forpahl was on the phone with her best friend, Ciara Drake. “I was in disbelief because I had just gotten off the phone with Sharmaine and her son, so I couldn’t really believe what I was hearing,” Drake told WLBT.
Police arrested 44-year-old Charles F. Barkley and charged him with murder. Details about what led to the stabbing have not yet been released.
Forpahl’s youngest son is now without both parents. “He doesn’t really understand that his mom is gone yet, and it’s just so sad,” said Sky Harmon, Forpahl’s sister.
Family and friends are now focused on keeping her memory alive, especially for the children.
“I’m worried about making sure her memory stays alive for her younger children,” said Drake. “Because when you lose someone that young, eventually memories start to fade.”
The case is still under investigation. Community members are rallying around the family as they process the tragedy.
SOURCE: blacknews.com