AFTER months of unanswered questions and uncertainty surrounding the discovery of the dead body of Luke Edwards, 32, inside Residentia Mooi Hawens on April 9, four suspects were arrested by Amanzimtoti police on June 26. The suspects are currently (June 30) in Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder.

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According to Amanzimtoti police communications officer, Charlene van der Spuy, a suspect was arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to one of the witnesses in the murder case. Further investigation led to the arrest of a further four suspects between the ages of 24 to 28 years old.

Van der Spuy’s initial report at the time of the body’s discovery was that Edwards was found lying on his back, half naked, with visible injuries all over his body, suggesting he was brutally assaulted.

Prior to his death, Edwards was a patient at Amanzimtoti-based Tetelestai Recovery Centre (TRC), which aims to rehabilitate individuals recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.

The Edwards family, stricken with grief, turned to private investigator Brad Nathanson, who shared an update on social media on June 26.

According to Nathanson, ex-residents of TRC who were residents at the centre during April 8 and 9, gave a chilling account of Edwards allegedly being beaten for days at the rehab facility. He added that their allegations suggested Edwards was cable-tied, systematically beaten to death by five patients of TRC in a holding area meant for patients who need to be isolated, and stabbed. He further claims that Edwards was removed from TRC.

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The private investigator called for TRC to be shut down.

Donovan de Klerk, managing director of the centre, confirmed that four of the centre’s patients have been arrested and appeared at Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on June 30.

De Klerk said in a public statement, “Luke Edwards was admitted to TRC on a voluntary basis. On April 8 at around 23:00, Luke left the centre without authorisation. This was documented and escalated internally, and our protocols were followed. On April 9 at 01:30, CCTV footage from a neighbouring facility shows Luke alive, coherent, fully clothed and without visible injuries. Later that morning, he was tragically discovered deceased, lying in a pool of blood.”

He added that Edwards was involved in isolated incidents, including verbal altercations with residents, and a physical altercation with another resident, which was reported to police on April 7 and 8 respectively. De Klerk acknowledged claims suggesting TRC’s wrongdoing and categorically denied any involvement in Edwards’ death. A cease and desist letter was issued to Brad Nathanson on June 10.

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