A man has appeared in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Hayley Smith, a 35-year-old who was found dead in her home on Thursday, February 11. Her body was discovered by police after they had been alerted to the incident.
Upon inspection, police found fatal injuries inflicted to her upper body. It is also believed that her four-month-old baby was found beside her lifeless body. Fortunately the child was alive.
A 35-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with the murder and appeared in court on Monday, February 15.
According to gender-based violence (GBV) advocate Chalmane Kruger,who attended the court case on Monday, the suspected killer is allegedly a drug addict.
Kruger also said that Smith’s mother and aunt have been placed in safety following threats by the suspect before the murder occurred.
“Her aunt lives around the corner from the Smith house, also on Lillian Street and her mother lives further away but also in Wellington,” Kruger said.
The suspect will next appear in the Paarl Regional Court, the date of which is still to be announced.
Smith was the manager of Shoprite Klapmuts before her death. The staff of the Shoprite where Smith worked will honour her memory by releasing balloons.
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