Update

GEORGE NEWS - The 22-year-old man who was arrested on Monday 6 May for the rape and murder of Geonique Pieterse (16) from Protea Park, appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Thursday 17 October. 

He abandoned his bail application in May and will make his next court appearance tomorrow Wednesday 23 October. 

Pieterse was known to the suspect.

Due to the sexual charge against the suspect, his name will be withheld until he pleads.

Pieterse's body was found on Sunday morning, 28 April, by her young brother and cousin on her bed in her parents' home in Park Street.

The police were called to the scene at about 11:00. The suspect is also facing a charge of housebreaking.

There were signs of a struggle, but Geonique had not suffered any obvious wounds.

Loretta Raubenheimer, Geonique's mother, said she was at a work event on the evening of the incident and Geonique was home alone. She apparently went out with friends and the incident happened shortly after she had returned home.

Previous articles:

• Court case postponed pending DNA results
• Man abandons bail application in murder, rape case
• Teenage girl found murdered at home

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