'It was just too quiet'
2007-02-07 09:18
Dana Bay - Residents of a coastal community outside Mossel Bay were shocked after a man found the body of his wife hidden under garden refuse on their property.
Elaine Venter, 66, was last seen about 11:00 on Monday. When she was found, her head was covered by a towel.
A piece of nylon rope had been twisted around her neck, but the police could not confirm whether she had been strangled, said police spokesperson captain Malcolm Pojie on Tuesday.
The deceased's husband, Amiel Venter, earlier on Monday left their house to go into town.
His wife remained at home as she was busy working in the garden with the gardener.
According to Pojie the gardener told friends who later visited the Venters that Mrs Venter was busy in the back garden.
Venter later returned, but didn't immediately notice that something was amiss. When he later couldn't find his wife or the gardener and realised it was "just too quiet", he became worried and went looking for her.
He found her about 13:30 under branches and leaves on a pile of garden refuse in the back of the garden.
The gardener could not be found.