GEORGE NEWS - As the investigation into the murder of Nicky van Heerden (54) continues, her family has vowed to pursue justice and accountability.
Hein Bruwer (48), Van Heerden’s brother-in-law, said the family is devastated by her death, but remains determined to seek closure. He said the family has appointed a legal team to support the State and will hold the relevant authorities accountable, stressing that due process must be followed in the pursuit of a just outcome.
Bruwer said that the last time he and his wife had seen Van Heerden was shortly before 21:00 on Saturday 17 January when she and Van Druten had visited them in Brenton-on-Sea. During the course of the visit, Van Heerden introduced Van Druten as the love of her life.
According to the Bruwers, they were made to feel uncomfortable, so they ended the visit and asked the couple to leave.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed that some neighbours had reported hearing a woman screaming somewhere on the premises where Van Druten lived late on Sunday night, 18 January, and they contacted the police. A security company also repeatedly alerted the authorities, calling every 20 minutes, as they were not permitted to enter without police presence.
The police arrived at Rivertides near the Keurbooms River at about 00:20 on Monday morning and found Van Heerden’s body next to a bakkie believed to belong to Van Druten, on the dunes that form part of the premises. She had injuries to her body and medical personnel declared her dead on the scene.
The property in Keurbooms River where Van Heerden’s body was found. Photo: Google Maps
A search involving drones and search dogs ensued. Van Druten was hiding on the property, but was caught when he stepped on some underbrush, which alerted the nearby police officers. He was cornered before he could jump over to the neighbouring premises. According to the reports received, he handed himself over.
Bruwer was called to the scene shortly after the police cordoned it off, and he had the unpleasant task of identifying the body. He declined to talk about her injuries or the circumstances surrounding her death, and said the autopsy report and the facts of the case will be presented in court.
He did, however, say that the family has no doubt as to who the murderer is.
Sources close to the investigation told George Herald that after being struck from behind, Van Heerden’s face was forced into the sand. She also had a broken nose, and sand was found in her nostrils.
A police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed that the circumstances surrounding Van Heerden’s death are under investigation.
An earlier photo of Bevan van Druten. Photo: Supplied
The Garden Route community has been deeply disturbed by the events. Many who cared for Van Heerden, or ‘Alaska’ as she was fondly known, confessed they were not surprised, and according to sources close to her, Van Druten was unstable and had several restraining orders and assault cases lodged against him.
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