The post-mortem of 36-year-old Vanessa, a mother of two from Gqeberha, revealed a total of 23 wounds on her body, State Prosecutor Bianca Burger told the Regional Court in Humansdorp today, May 23. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These details emerged during court proceedings related to the night Vanessa was murdered at the home of her boyfriend, 58-year-old local businessman Rob Evans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As previously reported by the Express, the charge sheet states that Vanessa was struck by a bottle and\/or other blunt force object before she was strangled. Burger revealed in court that the weapon was allegedly a whiskey bottle, which was then thrown away in a bin at Evans\u2019 Oyster Bay residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Algoa Plastics owner is facing charges of premeditated murder, kidnapping, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burger revealed images of Evans with fresh scratch marks on his body. \u201cVanessa was scratching you because she was fighting for her life,\u201d Burger argued, confronting Evans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During questioning, Evans maintained his \u201cno comment\u201d stance when asked about the night of the murder. This led to Burger stating that it was only Evans and Vanessa in the house that night. \u201cVanessa died on Evans\u2019 watch,\u201d said Burger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burger also revealed harrowing images of the injuries Vanessa sustained, pointing out vast bruising throughout her body. She stated that Vanessa had sustained an injury to her shoulder, allegedly from the same whiskey bottle that was thrown away, which was half broken at the bottom. While showing the injuries, Burger stated, \u201cI am not a doctor but that looks painful,\u201d alluding to the blunt force object that was stated as the cause of death in court papers the Express had seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further evidence included images of Vanessa\u2019s rib injuries. Previously, during Evans\u2019 bail plea, he had stated that prior to the Oyster Bay trip, Vanessa complained her four-year-old son played so roughly that it caused injuries to her ribs. However, the post-mortem revealed that Vanessa\u2019s rib was broken and had punctured her lung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou are creating an impression that a four-year-old boy inflicted an injury,\u201d Burger challenged Evans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burger provided a timeline of events from April 19, the night of Vanessa\u2019s death. According to testimony, Evans and Vanessa were at Keith\u2019s house earlier that evening. Witnesses stated that Evans left without Mike\u2014whom he had arrived with\u2014and without Vanessa, leaving the gathering without saying goodbye to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Witnesses also indicated that Vanessa had left before Evans, who was seen without a scarf. Subsequently, Evans left without informing Mike. Burger argued, \u201cHe left Mike because he was already angry at Vanessa.\u201d She added that eyewitnesses reported Evans swearing at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, security personnel reportedly witnessed Evans and Vanessa fighting shortly before she was murdered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burger revealed images of Vanessa\u2019s body, noting the presence of a scarf. She argued that Evans had placed it on her. The post-mortem also revealed injuries to her neck, consistent with strangulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She further stated that Vanessa still had all her jewellery, which was later returned to her family. Burger then emphasised that there was no sign of forced entry into the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burger concluded by asking: \u201cIf it wasn\u2019t you, then who killed Vanessa?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to the Express, Vanessa\u2019s mother Charmaine Blair described the loss of her daughter as \u201ca next level pain\u201d that will never subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHad my daughter died of natural causes, had she even been in an accident, I could still accept it. But this is a next level pain. It\u2019s never going to go away,\u201d Blair said, visibly emotional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blair revealed witnessing concerning behavioral changes in Vanessa\u2019s children, Leila and Cole, saying, \u201cThey get angry very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked about her relationship with Evans, Blair admitted she didn\u2019t know him well, having only seen him occasionally with Vanessa, including once when they took her out for her birthday dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blair also shared that while she suspected something was wrong in her daughter\u2019s relationship, Vanessa never complained directly about Evans\u2019 behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVanessa never complained about anything. Everything was always \u2018I\u2019m fine,\u2019\u201d Blair explained. \u201cShe would phone me late at night and she would cry. And then phone me back the next morning saying she\u2019s sorry. But she wouldn\u2019t say what was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blair\u2019s only wish now is for \u201cjustice to be done, very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The court adjourned, setting May 30 for further evidence and June 3 for the bail application hearing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The post-mortem of 36-year-old Vanessa, a mother of two from Gqeberha, revealed a total of 23 wounds on her body, State Prosecutor Bianca Burger told the Regional Court in Humansdorp 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