Man due in court for Stellenbosch student’s death

The family of slain Stellenbosch University student Robyn Pearce‚ 20‚ have returned to their home in Kwa-Zulu-Natal‚ where they are awaiting the results of a postmortem.

Pearce’s body was found in her mother’s flat in Sea Point almost two weeks ago. She had been stabbed multiple times.

On Wednesday night‚ the family received news that a man had been arrested and would undergo questioning before appearing in court.

Police spokesman Andre Traut confirmed the arrest.

“A 27-year-old man was arrested and will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday‚” Traut said yesterday.

Attorney Willliam Booth‚ who had been appointed by the family to liaise with authorities and speak on their behalf‚ said the suspect was a construction worker who had been working in the block of flats where Pearce was killed.

“He was definitely not known to the family, or the deceased.

“Robyn usually stayed in residence in Stellenbosch‚ but the term had ended and she was in Seapoint before she wanted to go on holiday‚” Booth said.

“The family are shocked and traumatised.”

Booth said no items had been removed from the flat. It was the second major tragedy to befall the family in five years.

Pearce’s father‚ prominent cardiologist Dr Adrian Pearce‚ was killed when he has hit by a vehicle while cycling in Pietermaritzburg in 2011.

Tributes have come through for Pearce on social media following her death.

The BA (humanities) student was described as kind-hearted and loving.