Mother allegedly dies after drinking benzene and setting herself alight
HOUGHTON – Preliminary investigation indicates that she might have committed suicide
A Houghton mother has died after allegedly drinking benzene and pouring it onto herself before she set herself alight in the main bedroom of her house on 31 March.
This according to the spokesperson for the Norwood police, Sergeant Eric Masotsha. He said the woman died three days later at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.
“We cannot rule out suicide because our preliminary investigation indicates that she might have committed suicide,” said Masotsha.
He added that the woman’s daughter was in the kitchen preparing food when she smelt smoke and went to investigate.
“When she got to her mother’s bedroom, she found her on fire and ran to the kitchen to get some water to try put out the fire but it was already too late.
“The daughter then called the paramedics who then took her to the hospital and she was admitted and treated until she, unfortunately, passed away on 3 April.”
The police went to the scene and the daughter showed them a half-empty plastic container with benzene in it, added Masotsha.
“A post-mortem report indicates that the deceased might have drunk the chemical and used it to set herself alight.”
Details: Norwood police 011 483 4600.
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