Durban - The body of murdered Siam Lee has been released to her family after DNA results confirmed that the charred remains found in a cane field near New Hanover in January was hers.
Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbhele said on Wednesday that the identity was confirmed with the use of comparative samples from the 20-year-old's mother, Carmen.
Cebolenkosi Philani Gift Ntuli, 29, was arrested on January 17, and faces 16 charges, including murder, rape, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
He allegedly kidnapped Lee on January 4 outside a house on Margaret Mayton Avenue, Durban North, and threatened to shoot her, according to the charge sheet.
Lee's burnt body was discovered by a farmer two days later.
Ntuli is expected in the dock at the Durban Magistrate's Court in March for a formal bail hearing.
