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Kerkorrel left will and
3 suicide notes
16/11/2002 08:13 - (SA)
Jackie Pienaar, Die Burger
Cape Town - A will and three suicide notes left by singer Johannes Kerkorrel (Ralph Rabie) are indications that he had carefully planned his suicide.
It appears financial problems had in fact driven him to take his own life.
Kerkorrel's body was found early on Tuesday afternoon, hanging from a belt on a tree near Bot River lake outside Kleinmond.
His friend of several years, Demetrios Demetriou (47), related on Friday how he inadvertently discovered the will and suicide notes and was told of the suicide hours later while in a state of shock.
Dr Frank Selby of Caledon performed an autopsy the following day. Although his report has not yet been released, informed sources say there were four stab wounds or cuts to Rabie's neck. He eventually died of suffocation after hanging himself.
It was initially assumed he had cut wounds on the inside of his arms, however, it probably came from blood dripping down on his arms.
Boland police spokesperon Captain Johan Waterhouse said police found a carpet knife.
Meanwhile, a family member has said a trust fund for Kerkorrel has been established to settle his debts and restore his good name. It will be registered as the JK Trust. The family has decided on this after people offered to donate money.
Kerkorrel's sister Sonja Barkhuizen said on Friday the family had been unaware of his financial problems. It came as a huge shock.
Kerkorrel's funeral is on Saturday at Kleinmond in a private ceremony for family and close friends.
Kleinmond was selected as it is a beautiful spot and since it is where he is now, Brits said.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 in the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.
The week thereafter there will be a memorial service at the Mega Music Warehouse in Johannesburg.
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