Houston Man Charged with Murder in Stabbing Death of British Nursing Student Over Cat Argument
A 40-year-old Houston man, Chester Lamar Grant, faces murder charges in the brutal stabbing death of his 23-year-old roommate, Elizabeth Tamilore Odunsi, a British nursing student and content creator known online as "Tami Dollars." The alleged motive behind the horrific crime appears to be an argument concerning Grant’s cat.
On May 3rd, Houston police arrested Grant after discovering Odunsi’s lifeless body on the kitchen floor of their shared apartment. The young woman had suffered a staggering 28 stab wounds, as detailed in Harris County court records.
Law enforcement officers initially responded to the apartment on April 26th, prompted by a request to check on the residents’ well-being. Arriving at the scene around 3:50 p.m., officers knocked on the door, but received no response. A chilling discovery of blood on the rear concrete patio led them to enter the apartment.
Inside, the officers found Odunsi lying on the kitchen floor, bearing the gruesome evidence of multiple stab wounds. Grant was located in a bedroom, also suffering from at least one stab wound. Paramedics pronounced Odunsi dead at the scene, while Grant was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Following his hospitalization, Grant was formally charged with murder. A Harris County judge set his bond at $500,000. During the bond hearing, the judge articulated the reasons behind the assigned bond, emphasizing the severity of the alleged crime and Grant’s history of violence.
"The allegations in this case allege he stabbed his female roommate 28 times, killing her over some disagreement over his cat," the judge stated, as reported by local news outlets KHOU and ABC 13. "So, this is an allegedly extremely brutal murder with an extensive history of violence, which I find to be an extreme danger to the community."
Court records reveal a disturbing pattern of domestic violence convictions in Grant’s past, dating back to his time in Washington state. His most recent conviction occurred on September 6, 2023, highlighting a potential ongoing threat.
USA TODAY has reached out to Grant’s defense attorney for comment, but has not yet received a response. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 7.
Meanwhile, the online community has rallied to support Odunsi’s family and honor her memory. A GoFundMe campaign was launched, describing the nursing student as a "beloved sister, daughter, and friend."
"Tami was a beautiful soul, full of light, ambition, and kindness. She was just 23 years old," the fundraiser page reads. "A devoted Christian, she was a God-fearing young woman who found strength and joy in her faith. She had a deep love for her church community, where she was actively involved and always eager to serve others with humility and grace."
The GoFundMe page further reveals that Odunsi had moved from the United Kingdom to the United States to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Tragically, her death occurred just days before she was scheduled to graduate from university.
"An unimaginable loss at a moment that should have marked the beginning of a bright and promising future," the fundraiser says. "Tami touched so many lives in her short time here."
The outpouring of support for Odunsi and her family has been overwhelming. The GoFundMe campaign has already surpassed its initial goal of £40,000, raising over £65,000 to date. The funds will be used to transport Odunsi’s remains from the United States back to the United Kingdom, where she will be laid to rest surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Odunsi, known as "Tami Dollars" or "TD" on TikTok, had amassed a significant following of over 48,000 users. Her posts consistently garnered hundreds of thousands of views, showcasing her vibrant personality and passion for nursing.
Her final TikTok post, shared on April 21, offered a glimpse into her excitement for the future. The post included text that read: "23 year old BSN grad in 2 weeks. Vacations booked. Summer is 14 days away. Starting to look human again." The caption for the post simply stated, "I’m readyyyyyyyyyyyyy #nursingstudent #nursegraduate #tamidollars."
In other recent posts, Odunsi shared valuable advice with fellow nursing students, offering guidance on what to do before graduation, such as researching potential places of employment.
The tragic death of Elizabeth Tamilore Odunsi has sent shockwaves through her community, both online and offline. Her bright future as a nurse and content creator has been cut short in a senseless act of violence. As the legal proceedings against Chester Lamar Grant unfold, those who knew and loved Odunsi are left to mourn her loss and remember the vibrant, ambitious, and kind young woman she was. Her legacy will undoubtedly live on through her online presence and the memories she created with those who had the privilege of knowing her.
