Friends ‘in Shock’ After Woman Dead Is Identified as Yinka Strachan, 42

Friends and family are shocked after learning that the woman found shot to death in the canals in South Beach was 42-year-old Yinka Strachan.

Strachan was known in smaller circles, and friends are in utter disbelief.

“I’m in disbelief. My heart nor my mind is accepting this,” her friend Melani Doll expressed in shock as she tries to come to terms with Strachan’s death.

Since her discovery on Wednesday afternoon, police did not know her identity and were calling for family and friends to assist in naming the woman found partially submerged in waters with gunshot wounds to the upper body after a discovery by swimmers in the area.

When police officially identified her on Thursday, many took to social media to mourn the mother of four children.

“I am so hurt and sad to hear of the untimely death of my good friend and schoolmate. [There is] too much violence against women in the Bahamas. We must protect our women,” said Kyle Wilson who graduated with Strachan from RM Bailey Senior High School.

Two months ago Strachan joined Fusion Superplex as a supervisor and previously worked as a legal assistant and office coordinator at Dolphin Encounters before her death.

“I am a highly professional assistant with a comprehensive command of legal, office, administrative and clerical support functions combined with a knowledge of legal documents, court filings and legal procedures,” Strachan’s LinkedIn profile reads.

“I am dedicated, reliable, and able to handle a high volume of assignments.”

Gleanor Sawyer was Strachan’s childhood friend. “What gives anyone the right to take another’s life?” Sawyer asked.

She remembered her as a “wonderful [and] beautiful woman.”

Another friend Brenda Herrick said Strachan was “smart, talented, witty and kind.”

Coworker Ladarsia Royal mourned, “She was a rider and such a sweet person. I can’t believe she [has] gone like that.”

Ladarsia spoke to Strachan more than a week before her shocking death. “Last thing she said to me was ‘Sis I gonna leave. I’m tired.’” But it was unclear what she meant.

Authorities arrested a 34-year-old man on Thursday afternoon, but did not reveal his relation to Strachan. Neither did authorities reveal a motive for the crime.

A neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous said she was a “nice lady.”

“She took so much pride in her babies,” her friend Janell Dawkins remembered.

Strachan once taught at Progress Academy as a Special Education Teacher and was enrolled at Omega College where she studied Early Childhood Education.