Update
GEORGE NEWS - A mystery phone call, a bloody footprint on a pair of pants and a missing wedding ring are elements of one of the most talked about unsolved homicides in George of all time. For the last article in a series of seven local cold cases revisited since the beginning of the year, it is appropriate to close this chapter with 'the murder in the hotel'.
Those who were in George at the turn of the century will remember the headlines that followed the slaying of the 28-year old Leslie van Zyl in her room at the King George Hotel on the night of 28 August 2000. The Liberty Life insurance representative from Fish Hoek was found dead in her hotel bathroom the following day, Tuesday 29 August, with multiple stab wounds and signs of strangulation.
Eighteen years later, Leslie's mom, Christine Brockbanks Stewart, clings to the hope that modern-day forensics might shed more light on the case which has gone ice cold, after the court found in 2007 that "an unknown person was responsible for the murder and that no-one could be charged".
Fresh eyes and forensics
Since the first article in the George Herald on 31 August 2000, journalist Pauline Lourens has kept the memory of Leslie alive by regular annual reports on the murder investigation. Through her dedication, two attempts were made to re-open the case. In her latest article in August this year, Lourens reported that an application has been made to the director of public prosecutions in Cape Town to reopen the investigation. The outcome is being awaited.
The first article in the George Herald appeared three days after her murder, on 31 August 2000.
Brockbanks Stewart has asked through George attorney Dolf Louw that her daughter's clothes be re-examined for any forensic evidence that could link it to her killer. She wants the case reopened, with a set of "fresh eyes", said Brockbanks Stewart. "There was so much the police could have done, there was blood all over the bathroom. I honestly cannot understand if, as the police said, she put up one hell of a fight, why was there no evidence at all? With forensics as it is today, compared to what it was 18 years ago, I am convinced they will find something."
Mystery calls, violent assault
Lourens reported in May 2007 about phone calls made from a public telephone call box outside the then Dros restaurant to room 205, where Leslie stayed, on the night of her murder. The identity of the caller could never be traced.
During her assault in the hotel room, a hotel guest, a consultant from Kliprivier, saw her door standing ajar, and heard a woman faintly saying, "You're hurting me, leave me. Please let me go."
In his affidavit the guest said he got the impression that there was a man in the room, although he saw no one. He heard several hard bumping sounds and saw a closed bathroom door when he peeped inside. The guest reported the matter to reception, from where personnel, including a security guard, was dispatched. Confusion reigned as staff went to and fro between the hotel main building and the room where Leslie eventually bled to death.
The following items were missing after Leslie van Zyl's murder: A black Busby leather purse, a golden engagement ring and wedding ring, as well as a broad golden ring with four to six diamonds, a Woolworths card, an ID document, cash and the key to the hotel room where her body was found.
The hotel manager at the time revealed that he had been afraid to breach the privacy of a hotel guest.
He said in an affidavit that he had had an unfortunate experience in his previous job and had not wanted to risk a repeat of such unpleasantness. As a result no one had entered the room or knocked at her door. The investigating officer, Klippies Theron, confirmed that no one had immediately summoned the police. Police investigators could never identify a fingerprint on the Do-Not-Disturb sign hanging on her hotel room door. Nor could they find any trace of her assailant in the blood-spattered bathroom where she was left with her head covered with a piece of cloth. Her jewellery and purse were missing, but her laptop and cellular phone had not been stolen.
Estranged husband's testimony
Leslie's husband, Pierre van Zyl, said in a statement that he and his wife had become reconciled and had seen each other the night before her departure. Apparently they had arranged that he would pick her up at the Cape Town airport upon her return. He said he waited and she never turned up.
According to Van Zyl they had briefly separated for ten days, on account of his drinking, but had reconciled.
Leslie's family: From left are her mom, Christine Brockbanks Stewart, her second husband Ian Stewart, Leslie's brother Paul, his daughter Jessica and wife Chantal. "My son, Paul, was in the Uk when we heard the terrible news. He had to catch the next flight home and never returned as he couldn't bear leaving us," said Christine Brockbanks Stewart.
A mother's sorrow
Seven years ago in August 2011, Brockbanks Stewart wrote a heartfelt letter to Lourens, pertaining to some of the details of her daughter's murder:
The most dreaded month has arrived yet again, August the 28th. It was on this day 11 years ago that my life, my husband's life, and our son Paul's, would change forever, and never be the same again. Part of us died that day, along with our daughter Leslie.
At the time, she was Leslie van Zyl, her married name. It was a normal day, just like any other Tuesday. Leslie was in George staying at the King George Hotel as she frequently did when she was there on business. She was living in one of the outside suites.
She had flown up on Monday morning, and was due to return home on Tuesday evening. Leslie worked for Liberty Life, and frequently went there on business, running seminars.
It was 2:30 am when we received the phone call to tell us our beautiful daughter had been found dead in her hotel room. She had been stabbed several times, and strangled. Her cries had been heard and reported to management, who went to her door, and walked away without another thought.
At the time, there was a Ford Bantam bakkie parked in a side street next to the hotel, that was never fully explained. There was also allegedly a man with a hooded jacket in the grounds seen coming out of her room.
He was wearing a track suite bottom and a hooded top. Her rings and purse were stolen, but her rings have never come to light. Nothing else was stolen from the room, not the laptop, cell phone or anything else of value.
Eleven years have gone by with a lot of changes in our lives. My husband never got over losing his only daughter, and he passed away three years ago. To date we have not found out who got into Leslie's room, who murdered her, and for what reason.
We know we will never get Leslie back into our lives, she lives in our hearts now. But we want to see justice done, and the person responsible for taking away a beautiful person, be put behind bars.
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