An attacker allegedly killed an elderly woman in her eighties and critically injured her 60-year-old daughter at their home in Hexham, Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday 9 June.
A man arrived at the house but found the door locked. He tried calling for his wife and elderly mother but received no response.
He then forced his way inside and found both women lying in pools of blood in the passage.
Neighbours heard the man calling for help and made multiple calls for medical assistance to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA).
Victims’ injuries and hospitalisation
Officers and paramedics dispatched themselves and arrived at the scene around 18:45. They declared the elderly woman dead at the scene.
She had suffered multiple stab wounds to her face and body. The attacker slit her daughter’s throat and stabbed her cheeks, neck, and hands.
She was bleeding heavily. Paramedics stabilised her before rushing her to hospital by ambulance.
Weapons found, suspect missing
RUSA officials found a large blood-stained butcher knife and a smaller bent knife at the scene.
The critically injured woman’s son went missing, and RUSA has not confirmed his involvement.
Officials are investigating the case as murder and attempted murder.
What steps do you think communities can take to prevent violent attacks like this in neighbourhoods?
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