Wheeler murder a top priority

2005-10-19 08:47

George - Police have given top priority to the investigation into the murder of Jessica Wheeler, 18, who was found dead in the garden of a church in Knysna last week.

Wheeler's half-naked body was found in the garden of St George's Anglican church in Main Street on Thursday morning. Doctor Mariette Hurst, the state pathologist who conducted the post-mortem on Monday, found Wheeler had suffocated as a result of having soil in her mouth and throat. She'd also been sodomised.

Captain Eddie Cronje, police spokesperson, said on Tuesday that apart from the investigating team under Captain Samuel Xhamane, other units have also been involved in the investigation.

"All available manpower has been allocated to this case to ensure a breakthrough as soon as possible," Cronje said.

Some of the units are questioning people Wheeler had contact with on Wednesday night or who may have seen her. "There are no leads. We are following up every possibility."

He said Xhamane drove to Cape Town on Tuesday with internal fluid and blood samples that were taken during the post-mortem.

"Only a pathologist can take such samples during a post-mortem."

"The forensic investigating officers who flew from Cape Town on Thursday took external samples from her clothes and under her nails."

Xhamane went to Cape Town with the samples to make sure "they end up in the right hands and receive attention as soon as possible," Cronje said.

"We hope to have answers to all the questions as soon as possible. We want to assure the family and next-of-kin we're completely focused on the case," he said.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Xhamane on 044-302-6600/8 or phone the Crime Stop number 10111.

- Die Burger