Overview
- Vidhi Kalpeshbhai Meghani, a 22-year-old student from Borsad, Gujarat, was fatally stabbed in St. Catharines in Canada’s Niagara region on May 15, 2026.
- Niagara Regional Police investigators arrested 40-year-old Joshua St Omer and charged him with second-degree murder on May 18, 2026, but officials have not publicly confirmed a motive.
- Vidhi’s father has alleged she fought with a drug dealer who demanded money, a claim reported by family sources and presented as an allegation pending police confirmation.
- Family members in Gujarat say they were notified days after the attack and have publicly urged faster repatriation of Vidhi’s remains while the Consulate General of India in Toronto says it is assisting with formalities and transportation.
- The case has renewed concerns about the safety of Indian students overseas and could increase pressure on consular services and local authorities to speed up notifications and body‑repatriation procedures.