Critical information for the murder trial of a Manenberg girl may be lost after the Wendy house where she was believed to have been killed went up in flames.
Manenberg police say just a month before the suspect, Carlo de Kock, is set to stand trial for the rape and murder of his niece, Chanelle McCrawl, the Wendy at Audrey Court was destroyed in a blaze on Monday night.
On 19 October 2017, the 10-year-old girl was reported missing when she failed to arrive at school. The next day her body was found near a river.
According to the State’s case Chanelle was killed in her uncle’s backyard dwelling after her blood was found on various items in the Wendy.
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Theo Layne, says firefighters responded to a call for help at 10.22pm where they found six flats and two wood and iron structures on fire.
SLAIN: Chanelle McCrawl, 10. Photo: Monique Duval
“One adult female was treated for smoke inhalation. At this stage the cause has not been determined,” he says.
Tenant Rachel Abels says the fire started in Carlo’s Wendy, but says they are confused: “Nobody lives there at the back and there is no electricity. It has been closed because the police said it is a crime scene. We don’t know how the fire started.”
Manenberg Police Station commander, Brigadier Enolium Joseph, says while evidence such as DNA was removed by investigators, an on-site inspection during the trial had been planned.
“The inspection was to show the court what happened and illustrate the witness statements.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 021 699 9400.