Facebook page tribute to slain Malaysian journalist

Following the sudden death of Malaysian journalist Claudia Theophilus, the online community has extended their deepest sympathy and tribute to the 42-year-old by setting up a Facebook page for her.

The page was created early Monday morning with the title ‘Keeping the Flame Alive: In Memory of Claudia Theophilus’.

The page description reads: “For everyone who calls Claudia Theophilus a family member, friend, journalist, comrade, a loved one. We are from many parts of the world and our paths may not have crossed, but we have been touched by her 'fire'. Rest in peace, dear Claudia."

The page had so far gathered 362 likes.

People who had fond memories of the Al Jazeera producer based in Doha, flooded the page with memories shared with her.

Facebook user Richard Yeoh, wrote, ‘I will always remember you as a kind and gentle person. It was my privilege to have met you in the course of our respective work and I pray that God will bless your soul in eternity and may His Spirit comfort your loved ones during this time of loss and grief.’

Another Facebook user Hanif Roslan wrote, ‘She was a sister, a friend, a confidante, an angel, and most importantly a down to earth kind of person. She was god sent, and now back with god again. We will definitely miss her so very much. Rest in Peace dear. You are now in the safe arms of the Lord.’

Kong See Hoh wrote, “Claudia was a fighter for rights. She may be gone but her fighting spirit lives on in our hearts. R.I.P.”

The well-liked journalist was killed in Baakleen, in the mountains of Lebanon at 2.30am (8.30am Malaysian time) on Saturday while on holiday with two friends.

Local police have detained the two people who were with her for questioning and initial police investigations indicate that it may have been a mishap while handling firearms.

Wisma Putra had said that local police report had classified the death as an accident while handling a firearm but investigations continue.

She worked at The Sun and Malaysiakini prior to her stint with Al Jazeera.