Mystery surrounds pool killing

2003-03-18 08:15

Nelia Richter

George - Schoolchildren found the half-naked body of a gifted 17-year-old girl from the town next to a swimming pool early on Monday morning.

Deonette Mulder, 17, a grade 11 pupil at PW Botha College, was apparently raped, strangled and drowned by her alleged attacker or attackers after she went for a swim on Sunday night.

Captain Eddie Cronje said although Mulder had bruises to her neck, a preliminary post-mortem showed she probably had drowned.

Her body was found in a pool of blood on the paving next to the swimming pool of Outeniqua Primary School. Her head was hanging over the side of the pool, but witnesses said her head was not in the water.

It remains a mystery how Mulder or her alleged assailant gained entry to the pool area, which was surrounded by a high fence with razor wire and there were steel spikes on the gate, which was locked at the time.

Was a quiet, reserved person

Preliminary evidence indicates Mulder probably had been swimming when she was attacked.

She still had on a bikini top, and a towel and board shorts were found nearby. Police also found other clothes and a handbag close to the body.

A friend, Luzaan Bouwer, said Mulder was a quiet, reserved person who hardly ever went out.

She apparently regularly visited two nightclubs in George on her own.

Another classmate said she never took part in extramural activities, but was very intelligent.

Police are following several leads. Anyone who saw Mulder on Sunday evening should contact detective-inspector Allie du Plessis on 044 873 2116.

- Die Burger