The family of Benton Shawn Harris says they are still without closure a year after his death in a pedestrian accident near the Mall at Newmarket in Alberton on April 5, 2025.

His sister, Lisa Harris, says the past year has been emotionally exhausting for the family, who continue to struggle with unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of his death.

“The past year has been incredibly difficult for all of us. Losing Benton left a deep void in our lives that can never truly be filled.

“We’ve leaned on each other for support, but the pain doesn’t go away. It just becomes something you learn to live with,” she said.

She added that the lack of an autopsy report has made it even harder for the family to find closure.

“It has been extremely frustrating and painful. Not having answers makes it impossible to find closure. We feel like we are stuck in limbo, constantly waiting, constantly questioning,” she said.

According to the family, communication from authorities has been limited, and repeated follow-ups have yielded few clear updates.

“The communication has been very limited and disappointing. We’ve had to follow up repeatedly, often without clear answers or updates.

“It feels like we’ve been left in the dark for most of this process,” Lisa said.

In October 2025, Alberton Record reached out to the Gauteng Department of Health to request clarity on delays in the post-mortem report.

We were informed at the time that the matter was under review, but no further substantial feedback followed.

However, on April 28, following a follow-up inquiry by the Alberton Record, the Gauteng Department of Health responded, requesting the body number and confirming that they were following up on the matter.

The Harris family says they remain hopeful that answers will eventually come, but frustration continues to grow as the investigation appears to have stalled from their perspective.

“We are asking for transparency, urgency, and compassion. This is not just a case file; it is our loved one. We deserve answers, and we deserve to be kept informed,” Lisa said.

Despite the long wait, the family is still appealing to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information or footage from the night of the incident to come forward.

“Someone out there knows something. We just ask that they please come forward, no matter how small it may seem,” Lisa added.

ALSO READ: Family seeks answers after Alberton man killed in tragic accident near Newmarket Mall

As the family continues to wait, they say they want Benton to be remembered for who he was, not only the circumstances surrounding his death.

“We want Benton to be remembered as a kind, loving, and valued person who meant so much to so many. We will continue to honour his memory by seeking the truth,” she said.

Stay informed and never miss a story. Join our Joburg South WhatsApp channel for breaking news, community updates, and more: Join here.