Vigil held for UCLA Professor William Klug killed in murder-suicide

WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A heartfelt tribute was held Thursday evening for Professor William Klug, the husband and father murdered by one of his own graduate students on the UCLA Campus.

Thousands of lights sparkled on the campus in honor of Klug as coworkers, students and city leaders gathered for an emotional vigil at Bruin Plaza.

"Bill was the most kind, gentle, and loving person with whom I've had the pleasure of working with at UCLA. Bill was a Bruin through and through," UCLA Professor Daniel Ennis said.

Klug was gunned down Wednesday morning by disgruntled former graduate student Mainak Sarkar, according to Los Angeles police.

Authorities said Sarkar drove from his Minnesota home to Los Angeles heavily armed. He murdered Klug in the engineering building before killing himself, police said.

Investigators said before Surkar left Minnesota, he went to the home of his estranged wife, Ashley Hasti, and killed her.

At his Minnesota home, investigators said they found a kill list with another professor named. That professor was not harmed.

Back at UCLA, a memorial was left at Bruin Plaza in honor of Klug.

On Thursday, Klug's wife released a statement, which said in part, "During this extremely difficult time for our family, we are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support. This is an indescribable loss. Bill was so much more than my soulmate. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life. Knowing that so many others share our family's sorrow has provided a measure of comfort."