Capital Park 95-year-old woman’s murderer found guilty on three counts
A man who stabbed with a sharp object and suffocated elderly woman to death was sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft.
A 49-year-old Pretoria man was sentenced to 22 years behind bars for murder, robbery and theft recently.
“The Gauteng High Court last Wednesday found Johannes Cornelius Fourie (49) guilty of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft,” Wonderboompoort police spokesperson Constable Mandlakayise Zwane told Rekord.
This after the body of Hester Cowling (95) was found at her place of residence in Capital Part in Pretoria Moot in December 2019.
“She was found by her grandson, stabbed by a sharp object and suffocated to death. Some of her belongings including bank cards were stolen,” said Zwane.
He said, when finding a motionless body of his grandmother, the grandson alerted the police.
Zwane said upon receiving the information, the police opened cases of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft on December 6, 2019, and began an investigation.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the culprit used a sharp object and plastic bag to stab and suffocate her respectively during the murder.
“The Wonderboompoort police immediately hit the ground running in pursuit of the suspect and follow all possible leads.”
According to the police, investigation revealed that the bank cards belonging to the deceased were being used as money was continuously withdrawn from her account after her passing.
ALSO READ: Community safety department’s new chaplain ready to provide support
The police followed the matter, which led them to the arrest of Fourie, Zwane said, citing that the suspect was detained and charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft.
“The suspect was found guilty in all charges and sentenced to 22 years’ imprisonment.”
The Wonderboompoort police station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Dinah Tabane congratulated investigating officer Warrant Officer Lourens Lemmer for his dedication and tireless work in solving the case.
“The Wonderboompoort police are here to serve its community and we will bring all perpetrators of crime to justice,” she said.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
