The Facebook page of 20-year-old Alina Sheykhet now has “Remembering Alina Sheykhet” above Sheykhet’s Facebook profile photo and beside Alina’s name, along with the standard text that reiterates the hope that Facebook users will gain comfort in visiting Alina’s “profile to remember and celebrate her life.” In the public photos displayed on Facebook, such as those seen below, Alina’s ex-boyfriend, Matthew Darby, can’t be readily seen. However, Darby can be seen in the above photo from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, who report that Darby is being sought after his ex-girlfriend, a University of Pittsburgh student, was issued an order of protection from abuse against Matthew and was found dead shortly afterward.
According to Boston.com , Alina was discovered dead by her dad in Sheykhet’s off-campus apartment on the morning of Sunday, October 8. Even though authorities say Matthew has not been charged in the death of Alina, Darby was arrested on September 26, when he faced charges of criminal trespassing after Sheykhet told police that Matthew scaled a gutter to enter the second-story of her home. Darby also has recently faced charges of rape in a case not related to Sheykhet.
“He did this because I left him and stopped answering his phone calls.”
Sheykhet said that Matthew was an abusive, controlling and jealous man. Sheykhet was granted the order of protection that she sought.
Police seek ex-boyfriend of slain Pitt student as homicide investigation continues https://t.co/owi3Cy22j5
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) October 9, 2017
Alina’s body was discovered by her dad, Yan Sheykhet, when he broke down Sheykhet’s door after not hearing from his daughter. Alina was planning to walk in a breast cancer awareness walk, but Alina hadn’t returned phone calls. Alina’s death was ruled a homicide after authorities noted that Sheykhet suffered from head trauma.
Matthew’s rape charges stem from March, when Darby posted $10,000 bail.
Yan dropped off his daughter at Alina’s apartment at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Post-Gazette . The next day, Alina’s body was found laying on the floor.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1509966915708918&set=pb.100000868712378.-2207520000.1507601566.&type=3&theater
Sheykhet intended to pursue a career as a physical therapist after relocating to the Pittsburgh suburb, with Alina hailing originally from Ivanovo, Russia.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1411083495597261&set=pb.100000868712378.-2207520000.1507601566.&type=3&theater
Alina’s mother posted the following photo to her own Facebook page, which is currently receiving condolences.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1466529710050233&set=a.556589917710888.1073741825.100000796535071&type=3&theater
[Featured Image by Pittsburgh Bureau of Police/AP Images]
