PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The suspect accused of murdering psychiatrist Dr Jane Luck (71) and her geophysicist husband Rolf Luck (77) at their home in the Crags on Wednesday 25 March was on parole at the time of the murders.
The accused was 17 years old when he was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment in 2009 for the murder of an elderly woman in Wittedrift.
"And it was the same thing - abusing, torturing and butchering an elderly woman in Wittedrift," said Charlotte Luck, the couple's daughter, who described her parents' deaths as "torture".
Christiaan Branders (34), of 297 High Street in Wittedrift, appeared in the Uniondale Magistrate's Court on Monday 30 March, where he faces charges of the double murder of Dr Jane Luck and Rolf Luck. He is also charged with vehicle theft and reckless driving.
NPA and additional charges
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the matter was postponed to 20 May for the joinder of the latter two charges to the Plettenberg Bay case. Branders will remain in custody in the Knysna prison and will appear in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court in connection with the murder charges.
Southern Cape police spokesperson
Warrant Officer Chris Spies, responding to questions from the Knysna Plett Herald, confirmed that Branders also appeared on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and possession of drugs. This case was postponed to 20 April for further investigation.
Spies said police found a small quantity of drugs during the initial arrest, hence the charge of possession of drugs.
"Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the couple is still under way. More charges could be added as the investigation unfolds," said Spies.
It has also emerged that Branders and an accomplice were arrested in February after allegedly stealing a laptop from a woman who had given them a lift in Wittedrift. Branders appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court and was instructed by the magistrate to return on 1 April.
Family reacts to tragedy and
parole decisions
The Luck family's son, Joseph, has questioned the decision to release Branders on parole.
"He's obviously not rehabilitable, as far as I'm concerned. My question is: Why was he allowed out in the first place? It has taken him less than six months to do [the same crime] exactly and even worse this time. Yet, they let him out," said Joseph.
While Charlotte and Joseph Luck are still coming to terms with the loss of their parents, they have praised the South African Police Service forensic team who worked tirelessly, including over the weekend, to gather evidence at the scene. This included fingerprints from a bloodied handprint on the wall of the Luck home along the N2 at the Crags, where Dr Jane Luck had her consulting rooms.
They also expressed gratitude to Alistair Williams of Bitou East Armed Security Team (Beast) Security and Otto Olivier of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA).
The motive for the attack is unclear. An electric bicycle that was taken during the incident was recovered by Beast Security after the accused allegedly confessed to taking it and hiding it on the farm perimeter.
Charlotte said the suspect had apparently observed the house and established her parents' routine beforehand.
Murder scene
Describing the murder scene, she said: "I'm a vet, yes. I've worked in abattoirs before. No daughter should ever have to clean up a room that looks like the room that they were tortured in.
"The blood splattered up the walls and full handprints of blood on the wall. There's not a piece of furniture, there's not a piece of anything that wasn't covered in blood. It splattered everywhere.
"The carpets and wooden floor were soaked in blood. We are going to have to angle grind the floor [to remove the stains]. This man was… the violence and the force that he used was unbelievable.
"People can call it what they like. They can say a demon possessed or insane. He was in a blood frenzy that had nothing to do with theft. There were plenty of items he could have taken. He could have taken hundreds of thousands of rands' worth of stuff. He didn't. He walked straight past them. He came here to torture and abuse and kill elderly people."
Rolf Luck was allegedly killed on the couch where he normally sat reading and using his laptop. A fireplace poker with suspected human tissue on it has been recovered. Dr Jane Luck was allegedly stabbed repeatedly with two knives, the perpetrator allegedly holding one in each hand.
Community support
The brother and sister have spoken of the heavy toll the tragedy has taken on them, but have expressed deep appreciation for the support received from friends and neighbours of their well-liked parents.
Memorial service
A memorial service for Dr Jane Luck and Rolf Luck is scheduled for Saturday 4 April at 10:00. While it is open to all, Charlotte has requested that those wishing to attend, RSVP to her at [email protected].
In a poignant moment, Charlotte recalled her mother: "When we looked in the fridge yesterday, my mom had cooked an enormous pot of lamb stew. Enough to feed 20 people. So I don't know who she was planning on feeding, but… she had cooked it… She was famous for her lamb stews.
"We shared it for dinner last night. Which was really special."
Asked if they drank a toast to their parents, Charlotte replied: "We did."
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