US student murdered in Rotterdam

A Dutch court on Friday charged a 23-year-old for the stabbing murder of a US citizen after her body was found in a shared living space earlier this week.

Responding to a call on Wednesday, police found Sarah Papenheim, a 21-year-old psychology student at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, dead in her apartment.

The main suspect was arrested hours later at a train station in Eindhoven, more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) southeast of Rotterdam. The court said he will remain in custody pending investigation.

According to Adam Pryor, a close friend of Papenheim, she had sent him messages expressing concern about her roommate, including one that said: "My roommate told me he's gonna kill 3 people."

"I was concerned," Pryor told The Associated Press. "She said she was going to the police … It didn't feel like she was in danger."

Read more: A daughter killed by her family — a story of love and 'honor'

'Beautiful, vibrant, talented'

Pryor described Papenheim as a gifted drummer, saying: "She was just so special in so many ways."

A GoFundMe campaign to repatriate Papenheim's body to her native Minnesota has surpassed $40,000. Campaign organizers said any additional funds will go to the family to help with funeral costs.

"Sarah was a beautiful, vibrant young woman and a talented musician with a smile that could light up a room," the organizers said. "She played with some of the best musicians on the scene in the Twin Cities and had many close relationships with them. Her presence is irreplaceable."

Read more: German girl’s murder highlights asylum system flaws

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ls/bw (AP, Reuters)