The Bridgeport teen who police say was stabbed to death by her own uncle Monday was a school leader and athlete whose principal says was also deeply devoted to her family.

Francine Nyanzaninka, 16, was a student at St. Ann Academy in Black Rock, where she played basketball and had the respect of the entire school community, according to Principal Patricia Griffin.

Police say Nyanzaninka came to Bridgeport from the Congo after her parents were killed several years ago. She had three siblings.

"They came from a war-torn country," says Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez. "They were fleeing for their lives. They make it to this country. They're doing OK. She's in school here. She's beloved by everyone. For this to happen to her, as a father, it ripped my heart out."

As News 12 Connecticut has reported, police say her uncle Richard Segabiro, 31, admitted to stabbing her. Her body was found in her Fairfield Avenue apartment around 10 p.m. Monday. She had been stabbed more than 30 times and nearly decapitated, investigators say.

St. Ann Academy will hold a private memorial service for school members Thursday.

Segabiro is being held on $1 million bond.