Family and friends gathered at the Old Apostolic Church on April 22 to pay their final respects to René Müller (44).

René was found dead and concealed in a bag, in a locked outside room, which was broken open by security at her townhouse in Danie Theron Street on April 13. She had sustained multiple stab wounds.

René’s husband and murder-accused, Werner Müller (43), had fled to Mozambique after allegedly committing the murder.

With the help of Interpol and Mozambican police, Müller was arrested on April 14. Since his deportation, he has appeared twice at the Secunda Regional Court.

His first appearance in court was on April 20, and the case was postponed to April 28 for a bail application.

Müller, presented by Tebogo Aphane from Aphane Attorneys, abandoned his bail application and was remanded in custody.

René’s family was present during the court proceedings. The news of her death has come as a shock and angered many people who knew her.

The question asked by many is why she was killed in such a brutal manner, and this, while the couple had been married a mere eight weeks before her death.

According to a family member, the couple had been together for eight years before they got married.
René’s son, Aiden Campbell (19), said his mother meant everything to him.

“It is not easy; we have gone through a lot, and it has been tough. But despite everything, I know she is here with us,” said Campbell.

He said he will miss everything about her, even the small things.

“I wish I could tell her one more time how much I love her and thank her for everything she has done for me.”

He said he believes she is in a place of peace now. René’s sister, Mishka Fourie, said in her tribute that there was so much to say, but that words did not feel like enough.

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“Our journey was not always easy. There were times of distance, things left unsaid, and moments that hurt, but after we lost our mom, something changed.

“We found each other again and grew closer in a way I cannot describe. I am so grateful for that time, that we could laugh, talk, and simply be sisters again,” said Fourie.

She mentioned that, over the past year, René had grown quiet.

“She carried a heavy burden, perhaps more than we ever realised. It breaks my heart that she bore it alone. I wish I could tell her one more time how much I love her.”

Fourie vowed to take care of Campbell and never leave him alone.

“We will carry him and love him every step of the way. I believe with everything in me that René is watching over him now, protecting him, proving that a mother’s love survives even death.

“It is hard to understand. The pain is deep, and the questions are many, but I choose to remember René’s heart, love, and the place she held in my life.”

René leaves behind her son, sister and father, Nico Gouws.

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