Caylum’s grandmother Kathy dies after attack in Sundra
Kathy van Coppenhagen, the grandmother of Caylum Willemse, died in hospital on Wednesday after she was shot during a house robbery in Sundra last Friday.
The robbery took place at their smallholding in Sundra where they were overpowered and allegedly held captive by two armed suspects.
Derek Bester, chairman of the Rietkol Sundra Bulldogs neighbourhood watch, confirms Kathy died in Life the Glynnwood Hospital in Benoni on Wednesday.
He says the news of Kathy’s death has sent shock waves through the community of Sundra.
It is believed two robbers shot her and left her for dead while they assaulted her husband Frik van Coppenhagen and demanded valuable items from the house.
Bester says Kathy managed to crawl to one of the dog kennels where she was took shelter from the rain.
The suspects continued to assault Frik, who later managed to escape and ran to his neighbour for help.
Bester says the neighbour called the neighbourhood watch and Sundra police for assistance.
When they arrived on the scene at 12am, on Friday, the suspects had already fled the scene.
“We looked for Kathy, but couldn’t find her.
“It was only after Frik called her name several times that she answered from the dog kennel,” says Bester.
He claims Kathy was immediately taken to hospital and was operated on on Saturday morning early.
The bullet allegedly damaged her liver and colon and her pancreas had to be removed.
Her condition deteriorated and she died on Wednesday.
The family was not available for comment but has asked, on social media, for privacy during this difficult time.
Bester says he is not sure if any suspects have been arrested since the robbery.
Read: Caylum’s operation date moved to December
The deceased’s grandson Caylum is due to leave for Boston, in the United States of America on November 27, for an lifesaving operation on December 3.
