A 55-year-old Braelyn woman was arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of Umbie Trimally, 79, who was found dead in the suspect’s house last week.
Previously the Daily Dispatch reported that Trimally was found lying in a Braelyn Heights street intoxicated and was offered shelter by the suspect on a Sunday night. She was discovered dead the following Monday.
But Duncan Village police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said yesterday Trimally’s death was not an accident.
“As a result we have added additional charges of perjury and defeating the ends of justice against the arrested woman on top of the murder charge,” Marais said.
Trimally was found dead in a flat 800 metres from the police station.
Said Marais: “Last Monday police were notified of a body of an elderly woman found lying motionless in one of the flats situated in Braelyn Heights.
“We found her deceased in a bedroom and we noticed she had physical facial injuries. Our forensic team was summoned to the scene and they immediately noticed that something was not right.
“We achieved a breakthrough on Tuesday. We looked all over for the suspect and could not find her. When we called on her phone she did not respond.”
But the suspect later returned home where she was arrested.
Marais said the murder happened in a relatively quiet place and was the second murder in the area since 2005.
He said the suspect was due to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court tomorrow morning.
Residents gathered in the street and watched as detectives took away the suspect.
Neighbour Agnes Trimlee said Trimally was a very quiet person.
“I had her visit my house a couple of times because she loved watching movies with me. I’m very shocked that the same person who offered her shelter when she was in distress has been arrested.” – zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Woman arrested for Braelyn murder
Previously the Daily Dispatch reported that Trimally was found lying in a Braelyn Heights street intoxicated and was offered shelter by the suspect on a Sunday night. She was discovered dead the following Monday.
But Duncan Village police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said yesterday Trimally’s death was not an accident.
“As a result we have added additional charges of perjury and defeating the ends of justice against the arrested woman on top of the murder charge,” Marais said.
Trimally was found dead in a flat 800 metres from the police station.
Said Marais: “Last Monday police were notified of a body of an elderly woman found lying motionless in one of the flats situated in Braelyn Heights.
“We found her deceased in a bedroom and we noticed she had physical facial injuries. Our forensic team was summoned to the scene and they immediately noticed that something was not right.
“We achieved a breakthrough on Tuesday. We looked all over for the suspect and could not find her. When we called on her phone she did not respond.”
But the suspect later returned home where she was arrested.
Marais said the murder happened in a relatively quiet place and was the second murder in the area since 2005.
He said the suspect was due to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court tomorrow morning.
Residents gathered in the street and watched as detectives took away the suspect.
Neighbour Agnes Trimlee said Trimally was a very quiet person.
“I had her visit my house a couple of times because she loved watching movies with me. I’m very shocked that the same person who offered her shelter when she was in distress has been arrested.” – zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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