Baby killers: Search ends in couple’s murder-suicide

The lengthy search for a couple accused of murdering their two infant daughters ended in a murder-suicide when Junaid Adam-Shaik, 34, first shot Stacey-Lee van der Ross, 30, and then himself.

Police arrested the pair on 30 December in KwaZulu-Natal shortly before Adam-Shaik fired the fatal shots.

The couple was to appear in the Johannesburg High Court in February last year on counts of murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and child abuse following the deaths of their two infant daughters, Alaia and Amanee.

Read more: Couple still MIA after second murder charge

They fled before the trial could start, allegedly leaving their vehicle with Adam-Shaik’s brother in Pietermaritzburg.

According to Major Thulani Zwane, who heads the police media centre in KwaZulu-Natal, the couple was arrested for murder at their business premises near Harding on the afternoon of 30 December.

“The suspects requested to go to their residence to collect their identity documents,” Zwane told the Record.

It is alleged they meant to prove with their IDs that they were not the fugitives from Johannesburg police were looking for.

Read more: Baby murders: Mother speaks out about fugitive daughter

“While the couple was in their house, police heard gunshots; upon investigating it was discovered the man had shot his wife and turned the firearm on himself,” Zwane said.

He confirmed an inquest docket had been opened at Harding Police Station for further investigation.

It is believed Alaia was abused since her birth on 11 May 2012. She succumbed to her injuries five months later. Her injuries included an arm broken in two places and other broken bones and bruises. After the couple was arrested, they were granted bail of R5 000 each.

Van der Ross fell pregnant again and gave birth to Amanee in December 2013. She died a mere three months later.

The couple told friends and family both children’s deaths resulted from ‘choking’.

In a post on VacTruth in 2013 Van der Ross seemingly blamed Alaia’s death on eight consecutive vaccinations she had received. She was upset, saying a doctor accused her of shaking her baby, allegedly causing brain damage and fractures.

Follow the story as it developed on twitter:

Update #babykillers #babamoordenaars @RdptRecord is following up on leads. Apparently there was a murder-suicide in KZN 1/2 @SAPoliceService

— Mathilde Tomson-Myburgh (@mathildemyburgh) January 5, 2016

Update #babykillers #babamoordenaars @RdptRecord is following up on leads. Docket is likely to be closed, according to @SAPoliceService 2/2

— Mathilde Tomson-Myburgh (@mathildemyburgh) January 5, 2016

Update #babykillers #babamoordenaars @RdptRecord Last year grandmother predicted fugitives are in KZN, visiting his family @SAPoliceService

— Mathilde Tomson-Myburgh (@mathildemyburgh) January 5, 2016

Update #babykillers #babamoordenaars @RdptRecord Fugitives' vehicle allegedly recovered in Pietermaritzburg @SAPoliceService

— Mathilde Tomson-Myburgh (@mathildemyburgh) January 5, 2016

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