Four killed in 'bloodbath'

2003-10-30 08:17

Marida Fitzpatrick

Johannesburg - Police on Wednesday described the gruesome murder of three Heidelberg adults and a toddler as a "bloodbath".

Lizmarie Minny, 19, Abraham Greyling, 21, his fiancée, Helouise van der Westhuizen, 23, and her three-year-old son, Donovan, died on Wednesday in the sleepy town east of Johannesburg after being repeatedly stabbed.

Superintendent Andy Pieke said the bodies of the four were found when the homeowner, a Mr Greyling, returned to his house on Van Geusau Drive.

Eric Roos, provincial commander for serious and violent crimes, said the murder scene was gruesome: "It looks terrible. These people were murdered viciously."

Van der Westhuizen's body was found on top of her son's in the main bedroom.

Roos said it appeared as if she had been trying to protect her child.

Minny was found naked in another blood-spattered bedroom. She had a number of neck and chest wounds.

Greyling's body was found in the bathroom.

House was 'covered in blood'

Riaan Groenewald, a relative of Greyling's, said he had no words to describe his heartache.

"Only animals would do such a thing. It can't be a human."

Groenewald said, his sister, Greyling's mother, was being treated for shock at a local hospital on Wednesday.

Superintendent Andy Pieke described the murders as a "bloodbath".

Senior superintendent Boates Botha, the investigating officer, said the house had been "covered in blood". The murderer/s also trashed and vandalised the house.

Roos said the circumstances looked "strange".

There were no signs of a forced entry. All security measures were in place, he said.

"It worries me that it looks like the victims knew their attacker/s," he added.

Late on Wednesday afternoon, police were still carrying out fingerprint and forensic tests.

Doctors were also at the house to help police with the investigation, said Botha.

At this stage, it appears as if only a car was stolen. Police are looking for a white Ford Escort, registration number FCL 010 GP.

The house was so badly trashed that police have not yet been able to ascertain whether anything else was stolen, said Roos.

A neighbour said she were shocked by the attack. "It has made me worry about my own children. They were home alone today (Wednesday)," she said.

- Beeld