True Crime Junkies: Love behind bars
What I'm talking about is falling in love with someone that is already incarcerated or sentenced. Shocking I know. But for some women, this is a real attraction.
We all have an idea of the perfect partner, a type of checklist. For most, it includes, a good sense of humour, honesty, kindness, or at least being a decent human, but it would seem that for some women, being a murderer is at the top of their lists.
This has always fascinated me, I mean, you know what this person is capable of and still, you choose to be with this person.
Now, I’m not talking about meeting someone whilst in prison, like Cecilia Steyn and Suretha Brits, who have found love in prison, killer meets killer, makes sense.
What I’m talking about is falling in love with someone that is already incarcerated or sentenced. Shocking I know. But for some women, this is a real attraction.
Take Henri van Breda for instance, he found love after he almost killed his entire family, leaving only his sister alive. But Danielle Janse van Rensburg still believes in Henri’s innocence, even after he was found guilty.
Then there is the case of a young girl falling in love with the Skierlik murderer, Johan Nel.
They got married in prison and declared it to be true love. Unfortunately, love is not always enough and they got divorced a couple of years later.
I have read the book Liefde Agter Trallies by Carla van der Spuy multiple times trying to understand why these women choose convicted killers as partners. This is what I found.
For some women who have been in abusive relationships, this is a safe option, their partners are behind bars and cannot hurt them, and these women control the relationship.
For others, it is the fame that comes with being in a relationship with this murderer. The more horrific the murders the more famous these women get.
Another reason is that this type of relationship will always stay in the honeymoon phase. This partner will write you poems and endless love letters, considering they have nothing but time. Visitations are limited and so is telephone contact, no time for arguments. Best of all you don’t have to pick up their socks or cook them dinner, the Department of Correctional Services takes care of that.
Even though I am fascinated by the minds of criminals, when it comes to relationships, being a murderer remains a deal breaker for me.
About the author:
Monique Botha is a divorced mother of two and has been living on the South Coast for five years. She completed her higher certificate in criminal justice and is in her final year of completing her bachelor’s degree in criminology. She believes in lifelong learning and is proof that one is never too old to make your dreams a reality.
