The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told - Episode: Harvard's Forgotten Murder/Suicide

Host: Mary Kay McBrayer
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Production: Diversion Audio

1. Introduction and Context

In the episode titled "Harvard's Forgotten Murder/Suicide," Mary Kay McBrayer delves into a tragic true crime story set against the prestigious backdrop of Harvard University. This narrative explores the complexities of immigrant experiences, mental health challenges, and the dark consequences of unaddressed emotional turmoil.

2. Profiles of the Central Figures

Sinadu Tedesa and Trang Ho are the central figures of this story—two ambitious immigrant women pursuing their dreams at Harvard.

• Sinadu Tedesa
  Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1975, Sinadu hailed from an elite class that afforded her access to one of the city's coveted international schools. Her academic excellence earned her a full scholarship to Harvard, fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. However, her journey was marred by intense social isolation and mounting pressure to succeed.

• Trang Ho
  Born near Saigon in 1974, Trang's early life was shaped by the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Escaping with her family as refugees, Trang's resilience and academic prowess led her to Harvard, where she thrived both academically and socially. Her ability to form meaningful relationships starkly contrasted with Sinadu's struggles.

3. Development of the Friendship

Sinadu and Trang met during their freshman year in a science class and eventually became roommates in Dunster House. Initially, Sinadu saw Trang as a beacon of hope for overcoming her social challenges. Mary Kay recounts Sinadu's excitement, quoting her diary:
"The last four days were the highlight of my life thus far in Harvard. My roommate problem was solved in the best way possible with a girl I thought I would really enjoy to be with." ([10:15])

4. Signs of Struggle and Desperation

Despite their shared backgrounds and aspirations, the two women's inner experiences diverged significantly. While Trang flourished, Sinadu's mental health deteriorated. Sinadu's diary entries became increasingly paranoid and resentful:

• "Do not show off what you really think. Put on a mask." ([15:30])
• "I am boring her. If I ever grow desperate enough to seek power and a fearful respect through killing, she would be the first one I would blow off." ([22:10])

These entries reveal a profound sense of isolation and jealousy as Sinadu perceived Trang's friendship with Tao, a teacher and Trang's best friend, as a personal rejection.

5. The Final Days and Tragic Incident

By their junior year, the tension between Sinadu and Trang had escalated. Trang decided to switch roommates, leading to a breakdown in their already fragile relationship. On Saturday, May 27, 1995, the following events unfolded:

• Morning: Trang felt Sinadu's unusual absence from studying and found her roommate emotionally distraught.
• Afternoon: Trang and her friend Tao visited the dorm, leading to a brief moment of normalcy.
• Early Morning: Tao discovered Trang brutally attacked by Sinadu, who was later found dead by suicide hanging in the bathroom.
  (Timestamp: [29:45])

6. Aftermath and Reactions

The immediate aftermath was one of confusion and disbelief. Media outlets struggled to find a clear motive:

• Boston Globe: "There is no conventional motive. It is not about sex or revenge." ([35:20])
• New York Times Headline: "Harvard Deaths Leave a Puzzle whose Central Piece May Never Be Found" ([36:00])

Criticism soon focused on Harvard's mental health support systems, highlighting long wait times and insufficient resources:

• Dr. Randolph Catlin, Chief of Harvard's Mental Health Services: "In cases of mental distress, where a person's self-esteem is narrowly based, rejection might lead to enormous anger." ([40:10])

7. Cultural Perspectives

The tragedy was interpreted differently within Sinadu's Ethiopian community compared to the American context:

• Ethiopian Community Views:
  • Lesbian Theory: Some believed Sinadu was expressing her true feelings by ending her life and that of Trang.
  • Spirit Possession: Another prevalent belief was that Sinadu was possessed by spirits, a view supported by the traditional Ethiopian Orthodox framework.

Sinadu's father, however, refuted these explanations, maintaining, "I know my daughter did not commit these crimes. Something no one yet knows must have happened." ([45:30])

8. Analysis and Conclusions

Mary Kay McBrayer explores deeper societal and psychological factors contributing to Sinadu's breakdown:

• Mental Health Infrastructure: Harvard's inadequate mental health services played a significant role in Sinadu's inability to find the help she desperately needed.

• Immigrant Narrative and Assimilation: Dr. Mena de Messi's theory of "assimilation unaccomplished" is discussed, suggesting that the immense pressure of living up to familial and cultural expectations can lead to severe mental strain and exhaustion.
  "There is a price one must pay to become an American, a price that tests the strength of one's mental stability." ([48:20])

• Impact on Friends and Family: The devastation extended beyond the immediate victims. Trang's family and friends grappled with loss, while Sinadu's family struggled to reconcile their grief with cultural explanations.

Mary concludes that Sinadu's story is a poignant reminder of the urgent need for robust mental health support systems, especially for vulnerable populations navigating the complexities of immigrant life and elite educational environments.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Sinadu's Diary Entry:
  "The last four days were the highlight of my life thus far in Harvard. My roommate problem was solved in the best way possible with a girl I thought I would really enjoy to be with." ([10:15])

• Sinadu's Desperate Letter:
  "Why am I writing this letter? Because I am desperate... Please do not close the door in my face." ([12:35])

• Harry Garth on Harvard's Mental Health Services:
  "Making an appointment to see a mental health professional often took 10 to 15 days, far too long for someone in crisis." ([38:45])

• Sinadu's Father:
  "I know my daughter did not commit these crimes. Something no one yet knows must have happened." ([47:10])

Conclusion

"Harvard's Forgotten Murder/Suicide" is a heart-wrenching exploration of how unmet social needs, compounded by cultural and institutional shortcomings, can culminate in tragedy. Mary Kay McBrayer not only recounts a gripping true crime story but also invites listeners to reflect on the broader implications of mental health support and the pressures faced by immigrants striving for success in unfamiliar and demanding environments.

For a more comprehensive understanding, Mary Kay recommends Melanie Thurnstrom's New Yorker article, "The Harvard Student Who Killed Her Roommate," and her book Halfway Diary of a Harvard Mother Murder, which provide an in-depth examination of the case.

Produced by: Emma Demuth
Edited by: Antonio Enriquez
Theme Music by: Tyler Cash
Executive Producer: Scott Waxman

For more information about this case and others covered in the series, visit diversionaudio.com.