Henri van Breda in Jail Tonight After Guilty Verdict for Family Murders, South Africa
Henri van Breda (23) was unanimously found guilty today in South Africa of murdering three family members – his parents Martin and Teresa, and older brother Rudi – in a brutal axe attack at the family’s luxury De Zalze Estate family home in Stellenbosch, in 2015. He was also found guilty of the attempted murder […]
Henri van Breda (23) was unanimously found guilty today in South Africa of murdering three family members – his parents Martin and Teresa, and older brother Rudi – in a brutal axe attack at the family’s luxury De Zalze Estate family home in Stellenbosch, in 2015. He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of his younger sister Marli (then 16) who was left fighting for her life (and is still unable to recall the events of that horrific night), and guilty of obstructing justice.
Van Breda’s face was expressionless as the verdict was read out in the Western Cape High Court.
Judge Siraj Desai found Van Breda had hacked his parents and brother to death with an axe.
Van Breda’s father and brother had been found hacked to death in a room upstairs, while his mom and sister were found in the doorway close by.
On Monday, Judge Desai spoke for over five hours before delivering his verdict. After a long trial of over 66 days, which has gripped many in South Africa, the Judge said the “result is inescapable”.
He said Van Breda’s version of events was inconsistent with objective evidence (there had been no security breach at the Estate), and that he had changed material aspects of his story. Desai said Van Breda had also deliberately tried to mislead police by injuring himself and throwing an axe to stage the scene.
Van Breda’s version was that he was in the bathroom, on his mobile phone, when a couple of intruders broke in and killed his family. The Judge said there would be no reason for an intruder with intent to steal, to kill an entire family… and if their intention was to murder, they would’ve brought along their own weapon.
Van Breda took over two hours to phone emergency services, claiming he had lost consciousness.
The news is making headlines around the world, from the UK to Australia where the family lived for at least seven years.
The family had emigrated to Australia in 2005 and returned to South Africa in 2014, according to reports (and Rudi was still enrolled at a University in Melbourne). The family – who were allegedly worth about $16-million (AUD) – had lived in Perth, as well as on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Van Breda handed himself in to police in 2016 when he believed he was about to be arrested. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Van Breda was denied bail, and will be held in custody until his sentencing, spending his first night in jail tonight.
WATCH Henri van Breda found guilty of murder