Slain wife's family robbed of the truth

AS speculation mounted about why accused wife killer Nathan Lewis committed suicide in Port Elizabeth yesterday, his wife's family were struggling with the fact that they would now never know the truth about her murder.

Lewis, 44, the owner of Pierre's Bistro at The Bridge in Greenacres, was found hanged in the restaurant during the early hours of the morning.

The American national was arrested in September last year for allegedly slitting his 36-year-old wife Debbie's throat at their Fernglen home and then staging a break-in to cover his tracks, but was released on bail two weeks later.

He was due back in court on February 17.

"As a family, we were prepared for the case to play out in court so that all the details of how Debbie suffered [allegedly] under his hands could be revealed," her brother, Anton Verwey, said.

"He had a massive drinking and gambling problem, and refused to get help."

Debbie had started divorce proceedings just weeks before her horrific murder.

Verwey and others speculated that mounting debt and Lewis's imminent re-arrest for breaking his bail conditions were what drove him to take his life.

On Friday, an advertisement placed in The Herald called on creditors and debtors in Debbie's estate to come forward within 30 days.

Lewis, who is from Washington, has four children from a previous marriage. They live with their mother in New York. The family has been informed of his death.

Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the murder charges would be withdrawn once the death certificate was submitted to court.

Lewis was out on bail of R20000 when he hanged himself.

He was allowed to continue work at the restaurant after his release, but was placed under house arrest between 7pm and 7am daily.

Lewis was not allowed to return to his Fernglen townhouse where the murder took place. He was staying with friends – Tyrone and Renee Melwich – in Old Bethelsdorp.

However, he allegedly broke his bail conditions on January 18 when he was seen drinking at his restaurant after 7pm.

On Sunday night, just hours before his death, police were alerted by security guards at The Bridge that Lewis was again in breach of the conditions and had locked himself inside the restaurant.

Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the security guards, who were aware of Lewis's bail conditions, had contacted the investigating officer shortly after midnight to inform him that Lewis was still at the restaurant.

"Police were then forced to break down the back door to gain entry," she said.

They found Lewis hanging in the restaurant's smoking section at around 12.30am. They also found a note. An inquest docket has been opened.

The Bridge marketing manager Sonica van der Meulen said while Pierre's Bistro was closed yesterday, it would be open for business today.

She said the staff would receive counselling and the manager would run the shop for the time being.

Tyrone Melwich, 36, said he had met the Lewises on a flight from Durban two years ago.

"We spent a lot of time together. They did have a troubled relationship but Nathan was a respectable man," Melwich said.

"However, he drank and gambled a lot – and that caused most of the fighting."

Melwich said he and his wife became worried when Lewis failed to answer their phone calls on Sunday night.

"When he didn't come home, we knew something was wrong. We are shocked and devastated," he said.

Melwich will formally identify the body today. Lewis's money woes and deteriorating mental state came to light during the bail proceedings in October.

In his affidavit, Lewis said he was "struggling mentally" because of his incarceration.

He said he would plead not guilty.

Investigating officer Warrant Officer Deon Hanekom also told the court that Pierre's Bistro, which was in Debbie's name, was in financial trouble. He said the couple owed The Bridge R250000 for rent.

While Debbie was the sole member of the close corporation, Lewis had put up the capital to buy the restaurant. He had also stood surety for the rental agreement of R56000 a month.