It is tragic but at the same time (and realize that we don't have all the details) people often don't take full responsibility for their safety. If someone is aggressively trying to get in my place (whether my home, a friend's, family's, or a motel room), even after I've told them to leave, I would soon call the police. The article said the victim said she just went to bed. I would have had pepper spray or a knife at least within arm's reach after an incident of the kind. I am not blaming the victim but most people do operate in a manner that "I am a good person so nobody would ever harm me" until it is too late.
People always seem to jump to conclusions that if something terrible happens somewhere that everyone should be more careful or avoid that particular place. Folks, bad things can and do happen everywhere. I have trans friends who have had guns and knives pulled on them and even been thrown from moving vehicles. Regardless, they still do the same stupid things (such as getting in someone's car whom they don't know while both of them are drunk) and my recommendations to at least carry pepper spray which costs $10 continue to go in one ear and out the other.
Summing up my point, the answer is not "to not go to surgery alone" but to be aware of your surroundings and have action plans in place. Anyone going to any town they haven't been to before should have their guard up automatically. This is common sense. I play "what-if" games in my mind daily and while some people call it paranoia, it has saved my life and potentially the lives of others and it is recommended by self-defense experts. Just as you should have a fire plan, you should have other safety plans in place wherever you go. Enough said. Still sad, though.
