Son struggles with mom's murder
2007-01-23 10:08
Leon-Ben Lamprecht
Cape Town - A woman from Boston, who was brutally assaulted at the weekend,
died on Monday morning while her husband was still fighting for his life in
Tygerberg Hospital.
Robert Horstman, 73, and his wife Julie, 74, who were living in the
same house at the corner of 6th Lane and Lincoln Street for more than 50
years, were apparently tied to a chair in their bedroom for several hours.
They were found unconscious in their home after the robbers had apparently
gained entrance to their house through a bathroom window.
Relatives and acquaintances were surprised by the fact that nothing had
apparently been removed from the house.
The police were investigating charges of murder, attempted murder and armed
robbery.
Murder 'cruel'
Wesley Horstmann, one of the couple's sons, described the attack and murder
as cruel and senseless.
"If somebody had called to say my mother had had a heart attack, I would
have been able to understand it. But not this."
He also feared for his father's life. "He is not well. His condition is
still critical. He was weaker than my mother. I don't know if he is going to
make it."
At the time of Die Burger's visit to the house, forensic officials were
still combing the scene for clues.
According to Wesley Horstmann it didn't seem as if anything had been stolen.
"My mother's handbag with her ID inside was still inside the house."
Police spokesperson superintendent Billy Jones said it didn't seem as if
anything was missing from the house first glance, but "only the victims can
confirm whether anything had been taken".
A neighbour of nearly 30 years called Jeanne (she didn't want to provide her
surname), also described Mrs Horstmann's death as senseless.
"They weren't silly old people. They were careful. If they (the robbers)
didn't take anything, why did they break in?" she said.
Wesley Horstmann didn't want to comment on the crime situation in the
country, but praised the police for the manner in which they had handled the
case.
"The public is of the opinion that the police are not doing anything, but I
have respect for them."
"I just want to tell Boston's residents: Wake up. That's what it's all
about. You must boost your security."
He said his parents often discussed the option of installing an alarm
system.
"But they don't understand the way it works. I bought them a DVD-machine the
other day, which has still not been connected."
"My mother did everything in the house. My father just sat and read the
newspaper or watched television."
His mother will be buried later this week. "The church is organising
everything," he said.
The couple was married for 52 years.
- Die Burger