As reported by News62, John Lee Bron and Jakobus Simon Skondo, the two men convicted of killing 66-year-old Erna Gericke on a hiking trail two years ago, were found guilty of her murder in Swellendam High Court yesterday, 15 March 2023.
Also read: Missing 66-year-old woman found dead on hiking trail
On 22 March 2021, the Barrydale resident was murdered while walking on a hiking trail just outside the village.
Gericke was reported missing on Sunday after failing to return home from her walk. A search party led by her daughter discovered her in the early hours of Monday morning on the Waterfall Hiking Trail.
According to News24, Gericke was discovered about five or six kilometres into the trail.
She had sustained hand and arm injuries, and Gericke’s family initially thought a rock had fallen and injured her arm, according to Netwerk24.
The autopsy results determined that Gericke’s hand and forearm injuries were consistent with those caused by a heavy calibre rifle, and she most likely died as a result of blood loss following the attack.
According to News62, Skondo was found guilty of murder, theft of a motor vehicle and rape, while Bron was found guilty of five counts of housebreaking and theft of a motor vehicle, as well as possession of an illegal firearm.
Both men are expected to be sentenced on 24 March 2023.
Also read:
Father still hopeful a month after disappearance of German tourist
Picture: Unsplash
