The devil is in the detail

DNA testing has confirmed that the blood discovered in the Rosemoor home of the murdered Joan Singrew (53) and inside the white Ford Figo driven by her husband, Duane (46), matched her DNA profile.

- Kristy Kolberg

Joan Singrew

Joan's body was found on 25 November 2024, four days after she had been reported missing. Her husband and his cousin, Heinrich Jumat (45), were arrested shortly afterwards and face multiple charges, including murder, kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, aggravated robbery and defeating the ends of justice.

Both pleaded not guilty.

During pathologist Dr Christa Hattingh's testimony yesterday, 12 November, the court heard that Joan's death was caused by strangulation. Hattingh testified to bruising on Joan's neck, head and arms, indicating blunt force such as grabbing, punching or kicking. She had bruises and abrasions to her legs, back and arms as well, some of which were caused after death. There were also indications of oxygen deprivation to the brain.

Hattingh said she had performed the postmortem on 27 November 2024, and that Joan's body was already decomposing.