A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support two young girls following the death of their mother earlier this month in Saanich.
Laura Gover, a 41-year-old mother, and post-secondary educator, was killed on January 5th. Her ex-husband and the father of her two children has been charged with second-degree murder in her death.
Police have not publicly released the identity of the victim, but family and friends have since confirmed that Laura was the woman who died.
Her ex-husband, Muhammed Ali Basar, 47, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with her death. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on January 21st.
With the matter now with the courts, police have said no further details will be released.
Saanich Police have not characterized the incident as intimate partner violence. However, family members and close friends say Laura was the victim of intimate partner violence, a reality they hope will bring greater awareness to the issue.
Laura’s two daughters, aged 7 and 11, are now without either parent to care for them.
The GoFundMe campaign was created by family friend Kelsea McLaughlin to help provide long-term stability and support for the children as they navigate life after the sudden loss of their mother.
“This fund will support Laura’s daughters and provide some financial security for their future — with stability, care, and opportunity,” McLaughlin wrote. “These children deserve the chance to heal, and to still have a childhood that honours their mother’s deep love and many hopes and dreams for them.”
According to the fundraiser, all donations will be placed directly into a trust for the girls. The funds will help cover immediate daily needs, trauma-informed counselling and mental health supports, enrichment and programming, and future academic expenses.
Related: Man charged with murder following suspicious death in Saanich
Laura was a respected academic and researcher, serving as a faculty member at both Vancouver Island University and Camosun College. She was widely admired for her intelligence, sharp wit, and her ability to make students feel welcomed, supported, and inspired.
Beyond her professional work, Laura was a dedicated advocate for mental health supports and was involved with organizations such as Moms Stop the Harm. Friends describe her as someone who made people feel safe and deeply valued her relationships.
But those closest to her say her most important role was being a mother.
“Her daughters were the centre of her world,” the GoFundMe page states. “Laura poured love into them in a way that was steady, intentional, and fierce — the kind of love that builds a child’s entire foundation.”
In a statement released this week, the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society said the death highlights the ongoing reality of gender-based and intimate partner violence in the community.
“This tragedy represents far more than a single loss,” the organization said. “It is a stark reminder that violence continues to occur within homes and relationships, reflecting systemic gaps in protection, intervention, and accountability.”
The society emphasized that intimate partner violence is preventable and called for coordinated action across healthcare, law enforcement, social services, and community organizations.
Anyone experiencing or witnessing intimate partner violence is encouraged to seek help. Victoria Women’s Transition House Society operates a 24-hour crisis line at (250) 385-6611 and provides emergency housing, counselling, and support services for women and children.
In a statement, Camosun College said Gover joined its business school in the fall of 2021 and had more than a decade of experience in post-secondary education and management training.
“Laura’s untimely death comes as a terrible shock to students, faculty and staff at Camosun College,” said Camosun College president Lane Trotter.
“Her passing leaves a profound sense of loss within the college community as well as those who were fortunate enough to know her.”
The college said grief counselling and support services would be available to staff and students.
Those wishing to support Laura’s daughters can donate to the GoFundMe campaign.
As of this publication, $177,274 of its $250,000 goal has been raised.
