MASTER diver Gregg Poustie (47) is believed to have been bound so tightly by his attacker(s) that he died while struggling to get free.
His body was found hooded and bound in his house by his friend, K’an Burne, in Fascadale Road, Ramsgate last Thursday.
His vehicle was found abandoned in Bizana the same day. A television, DVD player and clothing were stolen.
The much loved Ramsgate personality was a man of the world. He was a trampoline champion in his youth, worked in circuses and later even on movie sets.
Gregg’s girlfriend, Hollander Lissy van Wissen, raised the alarm when she could not get hold of him.
K’an told the Herald that he had last seen Gregg on Monday when they had spent time playing music together. He went to his house and when he saw the car missing he merely thought he was away diving.
But by Wednesday evening, Lissy still could not get hold of Gregg and K’an returned to Gregg’s house on Thursday morning.
To his horror, he found the house ransacked and Gregg dead on the floor.
At first it was thought he had died from his stab wounds, but police have since confirmed that he probably suffocated while trying to free himself from a pillowcase and T-shirt bound tightly around his head.
Friends remember Gregg as a ‘true character’ who was forever clowning around and doing handstands.
Since 2000, Gregg worked ‘on and off’ as a brilliant skipper and dive master at African Dive Adventures.
He was loved not only by the locals at the Shelly Beach base, but also by many overseas divers. He always had a smile and time for everybody. Phone calls about news of his death have been received from as far away as Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and England.
“He was a great guy and didn’t deserve to die this way,” said K’an.
“He would never say anything nasty about anyone and wouldn’t even hurt a fly,” said another friend. He loved sharks, the ocean, reading and was a talented drummer.
He leaves behind a daughter, Giordan (15).
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Detective Warrant Officer Jacques Buys at 082 3398971.
