Update

SEDGEFIELD NEWS - The man arrested in connection with the murder of a 67-year-old woman in Sedgefield last weekend is facing charges of murder and malicious damage to property, and he is scheduled to appear in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 12 February.

His first appearance was on Tuesday 5 February when the matter was postponed for a formal bail application. The police arrested the 50-year-old man, Sean Hellet Kelly, within minutes after the incident.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said preliminary investigations suggest the victim, who was later identified as Noreen Laura Hampson, was allegedly attacked by the suspect who was armed with a hammer at about 20:00 on Saturday 2 February on the sidewalk in front of her house. 

He said her body was found on the sidewalk covered in blood. "She had already succumbed to the extent of the injuries sustained and the blow to her head," said Pojie.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed to determine the possible cause of death.

The motive for this attack is still being investigated. Two cases of malicious damage to property have also been added to the murder case after the suspect allegedly assaulted and damaged the vehicles of members of the public who were first responders to the scene.