Eldorado Park man sentenced to 15 years for murder
Tristan Cook pleaded guilty to murder after his mother helped police with crucial evidence following the discovery of a body in a garage.
A 28-year-old man has been convicted of murder following the discovery of a body in a garage in Ext 4, Eldorado Park.
According to Eldorado Park SAPS media liaison officer Sergeant Fezeka Khobo, the incident dates back to May 18, 2025, when Bianca Murray had an argument with her son, Tristan Cook (28), at Goodwood Road, Ext 4.
Cook allegedly told his mother that he did not feel well because he had just killed someone. Murray did not believe him at the time, thinking he was under the influence of drugs.
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Cook then went to sleep in the garage where he resided.
According to Khobo, Cook continued sleeping in the same garage as the deceased from May 18 to 21, 2025.
On May 21, 2025, at about 10:00, a community member alerted Murray, saying there was a body inside the garage.
“Murray was afraid to check alone and asked the community member to accompany her. The community member opened the garage and confirmed that a body was lying inside,” Khobo said.
A warden then assisted by contacting the police, who attended the scene.
“While waiting for the police, Murray remembered finding a sharp black knife with some rust on it on Sunday, the same day her son allegedly told her that he had killed someone,” Khobo said.
“Fearing that her son could use the knife to harm her, Murray took it and handed it to the warden as evidence.”
Police secured the scene and arrested Cook. The knife was also seized as an exhibit.
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Khobo said the investigation, led by detective Constable Keagan Ulrich Visagie, together with evidence from Murray, the community member and the warden, contributed to securing the murder conviction.
Cook remained in police custody after he abandoned his bail hearing. He pleaded guilty on September 29 at Lenasia Magistrate’s Court, where he was sentenced to 15 years’ direct imprisonment.
“He pleaded guilty before the trial could start and provided a confession statement. The matter is final, and he is not appealing,” she stated.
Brigadier Mkhacheni Maluleke, station commander of Eldorado Park SAPS, commended Murray for her courage in reporting her own son and thanked the community for assisting the police.
Maluleke said the conviction showed that justice prevails when the community works with SAPS, even under difficult circumstances.
