Desiree Baartman Found in Stormwater Drain Evening After Ex-Husband Johnny Trials for Her Premeditated Murder

• The police have found the remains of missing Gqeberha woman Desiree Baartman a week after she was reported missing by her ex-husband
• Desiree was found in a stormwater drain on the evening her ex-husband appeared in court for her premeditated murder
• The husband, Johnny Baartman, is not the first man to be charged with murder in the absence of a body and his charge has been amended to murder

GQEBERHA - The body of a missing woman was found in a stormwater drain on the evening of her ex-husband's court appearance on Tuesday, 20 June.

Desiree Baartman, a 58-year-old, was reported missing by her ex-husband on 14 June after her brother Julian Arries posted on Facebook that her last communication was on 12 June.

Estranged husband suspected to be connected with Baartman's disappearance

Read also

Wife-beater Jaco Swart found hiding in England, another GBV charge awaits him

Desiree's ex-husband, Johnny Baartman, was arrested on 17 June after police suspected "foul play" in the couple's shared home during a forensic investigation, TimesLIVE reported.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says they discovered Desiree's body in a 3.7 metre-deep drain in the Jagtersvlakte area on the evening of Johnny's court appearance:

"Johnny Baartman is expected in court on charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.”

Johnny Baartman had already been facing murder charges before Desiree was found

News24 reports that the ex-husband, who appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 20 June, had what looked like self-inflicted wounds on his body.

He is also not the first person to be charged with murder despite the body of the deceased being missing at the time of trial.

Read also

Mpumalanga man arrested for murders of 4 family members, including 71-year-old grandmother and 3 kids

The 59-year-old, who refused bail, had initially been charged with attempted murder. He is now facing premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice charges for killing the woman using violence after a gun was found in their home.

An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.

Her friends and family passed condolences on her Facebook profile:

Liz Wagner commented:

"Desiree, may your precious soul rest in peace eternal. My condolences to your kids and siblings ❤️‍"

Bernadette Jaftha sends her flowers:

"My friend Des, I salute you for your kindness. What a humble and kind-hearted person."

@Bartho Dic said:

"How I'm gonna miss this beautiful lady. My friend, may your soul RIP."

Limpopo man allegedly kills wife and hides her body in pit toilet

Briefly News reported that a man was arrested for allegedly killing Lendelani Negovela after she was found in a pit toilet in a Mangodi Ha Sidou village.

Read also

Zwide doctor’s ex-wife accused of his murder applies for bail, family says they never expected her arrest

The horrific discovery sparked social media reactions from their large group of followers, saying they have been encouraging the woman to leave the violent relationship.

Source: Briefly News