Man jumps in front of truck after killing woman

WALVIS BAY – A young woman from Rehoboth who recently moved to Otjiwarongo for a fresh start was found murdered in her former boyfriend’s apartment.

The woman, identified as Kamilla Tracy Rickerts (34), was found with multiple stab wounds to her chest and back.

Spokesperson for the Namibian police in the Otjozondjupa region, Senior Inspector Maureen Mbeha, yesterday told New Era that Rickerts was found dead at about 13h00 on Sunday at a flat in Extension 6.

“A knife was reportedly still lodged in her chest,” she said.

According to Mbeha, the former boyfriend, identified as Gavin Diergaardt, who is also from Rehoboth but worked in Otjiwarongo, was allegedly the last person seen with her before she died.

It is alleged that the pair had ended their relationship earlier.

However, Diergaardt allegedly found Rickerts employment in Otjiwarongo with the hope of rekindling their romance. She reportedly rejected his advances and chose to remain friends, New Era learned.

Rickerts five days before her death updated her Facebook status that she moved to Otjiwarongo.

Mbeha said preliminary police investigations also showed that Diergaardt picked Rickerts up at about 12h00 on Saturday, 24 October, and took her to his flat.

Sources close to Diergaardt allege that he contacted relatives and told them what he had done.

He also reportedly told the relatives that he was planning to end his own life.

“Family could not get hold of Rickerts during the weekend. In the meantime, Diergaardt allegedly called both their parents and informed them that he had killed her,” a close relative told New Era.

The deceased’s family subsequently contacted the police in Otjiwarongo, who conducted a welfare check and found Rickerts with multiple stab wounds but could not locate Diergaardt.

Suicide

Meanwhile, following the alleged killing, Diergaardt took a work vehicle and fled to the coast.

At about 06h08 on Sunday, he allegedly parked the vehicle next to the B2 road and jumped in front of a truck near Nonidas, about 15 kilometres before Swakopmund.

Senior Inspector Judith Shomongula told New Era that Diergaardt died at the scene.

A case of culpable homicide and reckless or negligent driving was registered against the truck driver.

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