The mother of an American teacher killed in Abu Dhabi has not been told the truth about her daughter's death, a relative said Friday. Ibolya Ryan's mother, who lives in Romania, was told she died in a car crash to spare her the gruesome details of Monday's mall stabbing, sister-in-law Irina Balazsi told NBC News. Balazsi said Ryan's brother, who is ill, was not even told she is dead. "We are in shock," Balazsi said.
Ryan, 47, was born in Romania but was a United States citizen. She had taught in three other countries over the last 15 years before going to the United Arab Emirates with her 11-year-old sons in September 2013. Abu Dhabi police say a local woman knifed her to death in a mall bathroom because of her nationality — and then planted a bomb outside the home of an Arab-American doctor. The suspect's name has not been released.
IN-DEPTH
- Woman Quizzed Over U.S. Teacher's Slaying in Abu Dhabi
- Suspect Held in Teacher's Killing Wanted to 'Terrorize'
- Teacher Slain in Abu Dhabi Dreamed of Opening School
— Becky Bratu