Knysna murder suspect remanded in custody after girlfriend's body found near Red Bridge

A 40-year-old Knysna murder suspect has been remanded in custody following his court appearance earlier this week.

Mervyn Bock is accused of killing his girlfriend, Velia Strydom, and dumping her body in bushes near the Red Bridge.

Family spokesperson Warrick Langisa says Bock allegedly forcefully carried Strydom out of a nightclub on the night she was last seen alive. He adds that the suspect was in possession of Strydom’s cellphone after she had died.

“Now that came out in court, many people were calling after the last communication with Velia. Whenever the phone rang, and it was on, he would answer and say she was in the bathroom or busy doing something,” Langisa said.

Langisa says the family was traumatised by the severe condition of Strydom’s remains.

“People wanted to see Velia, but we couldn’t take the risk of opening the coffin. It was very emotional for us because we are used to a funeral where we go to church with the body and then to the graveyard. This was traumatic for the family, especially for the children.”