A 21-year-old man who was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, allegedly stabbed her to death before washing her, dressing her and
putting her in bed.
A blood trail is evidence of how Clarissa Lindoor fought for her life at her Stellenbosch home.
On Tuesday, Diaan Swartz made his first appearance at the Stellenbosch
Magistrates’ Court.
The matter was postponed to 27 September for a bail application.
Swartz has been remanded into custody.
Outside court, Clarissa’s family and friends protested, carrying placards calling for no bail.
The family says their
horror story began on
Saturday afternoon, when neighbours called cops to
intervene, as Swartz was allegedly beating Clarissa.
KILLED: Clarissa Lindoor, 21, had put up brave fight.
Clarissa, who was a
cleaner at the University of
Stellenbosch, had been
dating Diaan for four years.
The couple lived
together on Nievoorbij Farm in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch, while Swartz worked at a local winery.
Clarissa’s mom, Meuray
Lindoor, and aunt, Joan Gideons, claim Swartz was controlling and abused the young woman.
“He would fetch her at her family’s home when she visited and I found out now that he was physically
abusing her. He was an aggressive person,” says Joan.
She says a blood trail at the couple’s home tells the story of Clarissa’s final moments.
Photos of the crime scene taken by the family show blood smears and bloody fingerprints inside the house, as well as broken glass and furniture.
There were also blood smears on the washing machine outside.
Blood smears on the washing machine outside. Picture: Zayne Johannes
Joan says they believe
Clarissa was beaten and attacked inside and outside and then dragged to her bed where she was killed, then washed and dressed.
“Her body was found on Saturday afternoon by one of the farm workers,” she explains.
“There is blood splatter inside on the walls and floors, showing how he attacked her and how she tried to escape him.
“As he got her outside, she was apparently seen by farm workers sitting next to the washing machine.
“He then apparently climbed onto his bike and told the farm people that there was something wrong with her.
“He then dragged her inside the house and the blood trail can be seen.
“He washed the blood off her body and changed her into clean clothing.
“When her mother arrived later, he claimed she was tieping in bed and that she was drunk.”
The family says bloody trail and fingerprints at the couple's home show how Clarissa struggled to stay alive. Picture: Zayne Johannes
Police spokesman, Siyabulela Malo, says: “(Officers) found the victim with several stab wounds to her upper body and she died on the scene due to her injuries.”