Kofi Akamani

Kofi Akamani was a forestry professor from Ghana who spent fifteen years teaching and researching at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he worked in the College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences. He died on 19 September 2026 at the age of 48, after being shot at a home in Jackson County, Illinois. His wife, from whom he was separated and in the process of divorcing, has been charged with his murder.

Akamani built his career in SIU Carbondale's forestry department, where colleagues and students described him as a steady, encouraging presence. <cite index="1-7,1-8">The forestry department said it was grieving the loss of one of its beloved professors, describing him as deeply loved by his forestry family at SIU and by colleagues across the globe, with a gentle and kind demeanor and a dedicated work ethic and positive attitude.</cite> He was known within the university community for his long service to the forestry program rather than for public fame, which is why the circumstances of his death, rather than his academic record, have drawn national attention.

According to news reports, <cite index="2-2,2-3">the shooting occurred in the Murphysboro and Carbondale, Illinois area on a Saturday, when law enforcement responded to the scene, and Akamani was reportedly shot multiple times while sitting in his car in the driveway of the home, before being rushed to the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he was pronounced dead.</cite> <cite index="1-4">The professor was shot and killed at a home off Lake Road in Jackson County.</cite>

His estranged wife, 35 year old Betty Akamani, was arrested in connection with the shooting. <cite index="2-6">She was charged with two counts of felony first degree murder and one count of endangering the life or health of a child.</cite> <cite index="1-5">Online court records showed the couple was in the process of getting a divorce.</cite> She has since pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, and her case is proceeding through the Jackson County court system, with a preliminary hearing held in October 2026.

News of Akamani's death prompted an immediate outpouring from the SIU community. <cite index="1-9,1-10">A vigil for him was held at the Ag building front lawn, and a fuller memorial was expected to follow at a later date.</cite> The university extended condolences to his family, friends, students and colleagues, and SIU's forestry department used social media to share tributes describing his character and his years of contribution to the program. As the criminal case against his wife moves forward, much about the private circumstances that led to the shooting remains under investigation and has not been made public.