A PINETOWN family is still reeling over the death of their daughter. Tamlyn Smith, the daughter of Colin and Georgie Smith, was found dead in her apartment in the Rivermead complex in October last year, but the actual cause of death remains a mystery to date.
Tamlyn had been out with friends at H20 on the evening of 30 September and had returned home with them at approximately 9pm. After her friends left, Tamlyn posted comments on Facebook and chatted with friends on her Blackberry until 1.36am.
The next day, Tamlyn’s mother, Georgie, became worried about not hearing from her daughter and went to her apartment. She could not get in and with the help of the body corporate, broke into the apartment and found her daughter’s body underneath the stairs.
The apartment showed signs of a struggle and Tamlyn’s body was covered in bruises. Her clothes were in disarray and her sandals had been ripped off her feet but were still tied to her ankles.
ER 24, the family physician and the SAPS were called to the scene. ER24 arrived first and immediately suspected foul play. They cleared the apartment to see if any other person was still there.
Three officers from the Pinetown SAPS then arrived and instead of immediately securing the scene, they failed to take any forensic samples or fingerprints. The police photographer took a minimal number of photos. The family of Tamlyn were told to clean up her bodily fluids.
“They showed no compassion. They laughed and joked at the scene and paid no attention to a methodical processing of the scene. It appeared as if this was just another death to them,” said Georgie.
When Tamlyn’s body was removed to the state morgue, her clothes were removed and have since disappeared, despite the fact that valuable forensic evidence may have been extracted from these garments.
To make matters worse, the family waited several months for the autopsy report and when it finally arrived, no cause of death was specified. The report refers merely to the toxicology report which, according to the investigating officer, could take “five years” to return from Pretoria.
The family then approached ward councillor Tim Brauteseth for assistance. Brauteseth, who has 20 years experience in investigations, started to work with the SAPS and to interview various witnesses regarding the circumstances surrounding Tamlyn’s death.
“We have interviewed numerous witnesses. We have conducted forensic data extractions on Tamlyn’s computer and cell phone. All of this has provided vital clues and we are getting closer to a resolution,” said Brauteseth.
“According to Tamlyn’s cellphone records, she invited a certain individual to visit her in the early hours of that morning. We know the identity of this individual and are currently tracing the individual. This person may have been the last person to see Tamlyn alive,” added Brauteseth.
What is of great concern to Brauteseth in this matter, is the lack of forensic evidence collection by the SAPS.
“The SAPS had every opportunity to cordon off the scene. The paramedics, both of whom had tactical training, advised the SAPS that, in their experience, the scene of death was suspicious. The apartment should have been dusted for fingerprints and checked for trace evidence. And what happened to the clothes? There is strict protocol that should be followed to preserve the personal effects of a victim, but these are missing,” he said.
“Other evidence, such as the videos taken by the Rivermead complex security cameras, were not taken by the SAPS. These tapes have now been recorded over. The mind boggles over this oversight of vital evidence which would have shown the comings and goings of the persons to Tamlyn’s property,” said Brauteseth.
Another glaring issue was that the investigation officer was only appointed to the case some weeks later, meaning that all evidence at that stage had gone cold.
Brauteseth is assisting the Smith family in launching a complaint with the Secretariat for Police.
“I have written to Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane and will be laying a formal complaint against the officers who attended the scene in the first instance and those who dealt with Tamlyn’s effects. They must be held accountable for their cavalier actions,” said Brauteseth.
Georgie is tormented by the way she found her 25-year-old daughter.
“Tams was my youngest of three children. She was my everything and her death has destroyed me. I need answers so my family can have some kind of closure,” said Georgie.
The Smith family have called on anyone who has information that could be of use to the investigation to email Tim Brauteseth at ward18@ethekwini.org
