Warrant Officer Michelle Stephenson was found naked and strangled at her house in Westinghouse Boulevard, Vanderbijlpark. There seemed to have been a struggle and a knife was found next to her body.
It is said that her underwear had been torn in front as though she had been raped. The word ‘Diamonds’ was left written on the wall as a message. It has not been confirmed whether this was to serve as a decoy or if the Diamonds were actually involved in her murder. The Diamonds are believed to be a gang that operates in nearby Muvhango.
According to police, Stephenson was dedicated and always came to work early. Her superiors became suspicious when she did not report to work as normal on Tuesday morning.
Two officers were sent to her house to check on her but upon their arrival the gates were locked. They broke through and discovered Stephenson’s body with a piece of cloth around her neck and a knife next to her body.
As family and friends arrived at the scene they broke down in tears. A neighbour claims that at around 22:30 she had heard Stephenson laughing while she was smoking outside her house. From there she heard nothing sinister. Police are investigating a case of murder and no arrests have been made.
