Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Bevan van Druten (53), accused of murdering his girlfriend, Nicky van Heerden (54), was a no-show in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court today, 7 May.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, the matter was postponed in absentia to 5 July 2026 for further investigation.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Van Druten may have been absent due to damage to the court building.

Background

Sources close to the investigation previously confirmed that neighbours had reported hearing a woman screaming somewhere on the premises where Van Druten lived late on Sunday night, 18 January, prompting them to contact police.

A private security company also repeatedly alerted authorities, reportedly making calls every 20 minutes, as security officers were not permitted to enter the property without police presence.

Police arrived at a home in Strandmeer Private Estate near the Keurbooms River at about 00:20 on Monday morning, where they discovered Van Heerden’s body next to a bakkie believed to belong to Van Druten. The vehicle was found on dunes forming part of the property.

 Van Heerden’s lifeless body was found next to Van Druten’s vehicle on the premises of Strandmeer Private Estate, where he lived. 

Van Heerden sustained multiple injuries and was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.

A large-scale search operation involving drones and search dogs followed. Van Druten was allegedly found hiding on the property after stepping on underbrush, alerting nearby police officers. He was reportedly cornered before he could flee to a neighbouring property and subsequently handed himself over to police.

At the time, police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that the circumstances surrounding Van Heerden’s death were under investigation.

Follow the paper’s online platforms for updates and the latest developments from court.

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