Angelique’s mother weeps with relief as son-in-law found guilty of murder

Tears and screams of shock, relief and anguish filled the East London High Court as judge Michelle Beneke found Carl Abrahams guilty of killing his wife Angelique.

Maria Clarke wept silently as the verdict was read while her relatives screamed in relief that justice had finally arrived for her daughter, who was 25 years old when she died in hospital in September 2019.

An emotional Clarke told the Dispatch:  “I can now sleep peacefully. It has been two full, long years fighting for my daughter’s justice. I hope he gets a life sentence as he took my daughter’s life.”

Abrahams was initially charged with rape and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and later charged with murder after Angelique died.

He had  been out on bail but it was revoked following his guilty verdict.

He will spend his first night in jail as he awaits his sentencing in ten days time.

A female relative hugged him as he consulted with his lawyer Mark Botha,before he was taken away to the cells.

Sentencing has been postponed to December 20 2021, as the defence team has to negotiate with the state.

Angelique died at about 8am on September 3 2019, succumbing to injuries after she was badly beaten   by Abrahams in late August of that year. 

The details surrounding Angelique’s death were revealed before the court in November in calm testimony by her mother.

Abrahams had been “jealous and obsessed” with the deceased. 

Beneke accepted the majority of the witnesses’ testimony, including that of the couple’s eight-year-old son, who gave a haunting account of events.

The boy testified that his father had said he would break his mother’s neck and kill her.

State prosecutor Nickie Turner said Abrahams’s violence towards Angelique, to the extent of strangling her, had been extremely dangerous.

“Abrahams knew what he had done, hence he locked Angelique inside the apartment after strangling her, and left with their son.”

Beneke said Abrahams’s testimony was not convincing as the majority of his answers to questions had been vague.

“The questions directed to Abrahams were difficult, to an extent I had to clarify them to him, but his answers were: ‘I don’t know or I do not recall’.”

"Abrahams breached the protection order that made against him by Angelique."

His doings were intentional, as he had threatend Angelique before saying "Ek gaan jou vrek maak"

During the cross examination, Abrahams was overwhelmed and confused on how to answer the questions, which were easy.

Despite his wrong doings, he did not think of calling Angelique,he stated he did not have data. Abrahams mother contacted and asked him why he does not go with the police and show him the flat. He said he was afraid of being attacked.

Under cross examination he asked why did not tell the police about Angelique's seizures. He stated he did not know the procedures.

Angelique and Abrahams were married in 2016 and Angelique had tried to escape her abusive marriage by filing for a protection order against him.

In August 29 2019, Angelique was found in bed half naked by her landlady, who managed to gain access to the apartment after Abrahams left with the couple’s son.

Beneke’s report stated that Angelique was found wet from the waist down with urine. Her underwear was nowhere to be found.

Beneke said: “According to the testimony of the son, Angelique was strangled and choked by Abrahams in the lounge until she was unconscious. Abrahams carried her to the bedroom and covered her with a blanket.”

Angelique suffered brain damage, which was triggered by epilepsy that led to her death.

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