A man who allegedly murdered his girlfriend over the weekend appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Brendan Buckley is facing a charge of murder after the the woman (62) he was believed to have been dating was found dead in a relative’s home after an apparent altercation with Buckley.

Charmaine Nagel, a cousin of the deceased, says her cousin had come to visit her in the morning and she prepared her something to eat.

She adds that at the time of the murder she had her nine-month-old grandchild with her.

“She fell outside of the yard near the gate before she died,” says Nagel.

Warrant Officer Pancheal Singh says the murder took place at around 15:45, which was when members of the SAPS were alerted.

“The deceased had been at home at the time with the witness and was sitting in the living room, when the accused came into the home and an argument ensued between the two.”

He adds it is reported that during the argument, the woman tried to run away, which was when she was stabbed in the back, allegedly by Buckley, who fled the scene.

“Medics who attended the scene said the woman was still alive although she had difficulty breathing and [only later] succumbed to her injury,” explains Singh.

He says through the efforts of the police, the boyfriend was found and arrested.

“He had a knife in his possession,” adds Singh.

Buckley appeared in the magistrate’s court on a murder charge and the matter has been remanded to October 16 for a bail application.