Missing woman’s husband found dead in police cells
The husband had allegedly hired people to kill and burn his wife.
Ravi Chetty, who was facing charges of charges of kidnapping and murder linked to the disappearance of his wife Venessa Pillay, was found dead in the Mountain Rise police cells.
Forty-four-year-old Ravi Chetty, linked to and charged with the disappearance of his wife Venessa ‘Arlene’ Pillay, who has been missing since July, was found dead on Friday morning in the Mountain Rise SAPS holding cells, Public Eye Maritzburgreports.
Chetty is believed to have committed suicide by hanging himself. His body was discovered by police when he could not be accounted for during the morning’s roll call.
Having appeared in court earlier this week, Chetty was charged based on information presented by investigating officer Captain Eshone Manickum.
The court took the unusual, but not unprecedented decision, to add charges of kidnapping and murder against Chetty, who was then remanded in custody (at the Mountain Rise police cells) until a formal bail application.
Venessa Pillay has been missing since the 24th of July 2017
It is believed the suspect approached two men living at the Khan Road informal settlement, offering them cash to assist in the murder. The suspect was arrested and found in possession of a rope, a knife and a gallon of petrol.
The intelligence-driven investigation concluded the man, with the help of his two accomplices, intended to murder Venessa and then burn her body.
The suspect was charged for conspiracy to murder.
Since Venessa Pillay vanished without a trace four months ago, her family have been frantic with fear mounting, as police searches constantly provided no result.
Her disappearance was highlighted on several social media groups, having been raised by the Sector 4 community crime group that was also instrumental in Chetty’s arrest.
