Couple Found Dead in Musgrave Flat: Pre-Trial Set Four Years After Tragedy
- Nicholas Molver, 35, and his wife Matri, 34, were found dead in their Musgrave flat in September 2022 after allegedly inhaling toxic fumes from fumigation
- The family blamed the fumigator and the owner of the adjacent flat, alleging the substance used was phosphine and that the fumigator lacked a valid licence
- A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for 7 October 2026, four years after the couple's deaths
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KWAZULU-NATAL — A pre-trial hearing scheduled for 7 October 2026 at the Durban Magistrate's Court marks a significant development in the case surrounding the deaths of Nicholas Molver, 35, and his wife Matri Molver, 34, who were found dead inside their Musgrave flat in September 2022.
The couple is believed to have died after inhaling toxic fumes linked to the fumigation of an adjacent vacant flat. Investigators found that a white powder-like substance had been used in the fumigation process.
How the bodies were discovered
The alarm was raised by a caretaker who grew concerned when the couple failed to leave for work. He then notified Nicholas' brothers, Matthew and Luke, both of whom lived in the same building. Using a key to the family-owned flat, the brothers entered and found the couple deceased. Nicholas and Matri had been married for four years at the time of their deaths.
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Nicholas worked as an environmental and agricultural justice advocate, while Matri was a graphic designer.
Family's four-year fight for justice
According to IOL, Nicholas' mother, Zoë Molver, has led the family's efforts to obtain answers since the couple's deaths. The family holds the fumigator and the owner of the flat that was being treated responsible, citing tests carried out by a private company which identified the substance used as phosphine. The family has also alleged that the fumigator was operating without a valid licence.
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To help advance the investigation, the family hired private investigator Muntumuhle Mbhele, a former SAPS detective who worked alongside Berea police detectives on the case.
According to Zoë, the fumigator was served with a summons on 25 August 2026 to appear before court. She described the development as a relief after years of pursuing accountability.
"I am pleased someone is being held accountable," Zoë said.
She added that the loss of her children had been devastating and that she intended to address the full impact on the family through a victim impact statement in court. Zoë has also expressed hope that the case will serve as a deterrent and spare other families from enduring a similar ordeal.
Zoë believes a strong culpable homicide case exists, and the October pre-trial hearing is expected to bring the matter closer to a full trial.
Durban couple killed by carbon monoxide poisoning
Briefly News also reported that a couple, their friend and their pitbull puppy died allegedly from carbon monoxide poison emanating from their generator. The couple, Kyle Richards and his wife, Taylene Richards, were found dead on 26 February in their home. Their bodies, including that of a friend and their puppy, were found lifeless. Neighbours detected no movement from their house, and they quickly let the authorities know something was amiss.
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Source: Briefly News
