UPDATE: July 20 – The couple found dead in their home identified as André and Ms Marita du Randt
BETHAL – Police discovered the bodies of Mr André and Ms Marita du Randt in their house with gunshot wounds to their heads on Monday, July 19
This gruesome discovery was made after the police received a complaint at about 08.30 from a domestic worker who could not access her employers’ home in Davel Road.
She also tried to call both her employers, but none of them responded to her calls.
According to information received, residents in the neighbourhood have a neighbourhood watch group on which they call each other to check if everyone is still okay.
However, there was no response from the Du Randt’s.
A neighbour tried to call them but to no avail.
The neighbour then called another neighbour and informed her that she also could not get hold of the Du Randt’s.
The neighbour was concerned and drove to the Du Randt residence.
Upon arrival at the home, she found the domestic worker.
The domestic worker opened the main entrance to the Du Randt’s home and both the neighbour and domestic worker went into the home to see what the problem might be.
The neighbour and the domestic worker noticed that the security door leading to the bedrooms was closed and locked.
They also found it strange that the dog, which sleeps in the house with the family, did not bark when hearing people’s movement in the house. The dog was nowhere to be heard or found.
They had also noticed that all the cars were still parked in the garage.
The neighbour continued to phone the couple, but only Ms Du Randt’s phone was ringing.
The neighbour immediately informed the police and requested their assistance in checking the house for safety reasons or measures.
When police responded to the scene, they found the neighbour and the domestic worker who then informed the police of the situation. The police used force in order to gain further entry to the house.
The police forced open the security door to the bedrooms as well as the bedroom door which was closed and locked.
They found the bodies of both Mr Du Randt (61) and Ms Du Randt (60) lying on the bed with gunshot wounds to their heads and the dog’s carcass in the bathroom.
A rifle and shotgun were found in the room on the floor with two cartridges.
All role players were summoned to the scene.
A paramedic from Netcare 911 attended the scene and certified both the husband and the wife dead on the scene.
The motive behind the death of the couple is not yet known. The police are now investigating a case of murder and an inquest.
Police request anyone with information to contact Det-Sgt December Jele at 060 802 2876 or Police National crime stop number at 08600 10111 or sms crime line at 32211.
July 19: A man and a woman were found dead in their home in Rietbok Street this morning, July 19.
At this stage details of the incident is not yet known.
The Ridge Times awaits a press statement from Bethal Police.
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