Family of six massacred before bodies set alight
Among the victims: two aged 3, two aged 6
The victims died after being attacked with an iron axe and a knobkierie before their bodies were set on fire – an act police believe was an attempt to destroy trace evidence.
An 18-year-old man is behind bars in connection with the mass murder of a family of six in the early hours of Saturday morning.
What was initially believed to be a tragic fire incident in Usakos was on Sunday confirmed by police as a mass murder, including the death of four young children and a 90-year-old pensioner.
The man who was arrested at the scene is believed to be a relative of the family.
The victims were killed in their home in the Hakaseb location of the town before their bodies were reportedly deliberately set on fire, likely in an attempt to destroy evidence, according to police.
According to Erongo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the family was murdered with an iron axe and a knobkierie.
The deadly attack is believed to have occurred between 04:00 and 06:30 on Saturday morning. The victims sustained fatal injuries from blunt force trauma before their bodies were set on fire, resulting in first- to second-degree burns.
The deceased have been identified as Elisabeth Naruses (90), a pensioner; Fenny Naruses (18), who was a Grade 11 learner at Usakos Junior Secondary School; Ibra Naruses (6); Raunisha Boer (6); Rachel Boer (3) and Emi Naruses (3).
Murder weapon retrieved
Police have arrested an 18-year-old male suspect, who is reportedly related to the victims.
He was found at the scene with injuries to both feet and was taken to Usakos State Hospital for treatment.
A possible murder weapon, believed to be the axe used in the killings, was recovered from the scene.
Chief Inspector Shapumba confirmed that the case has been registered under charges of murder and defeating the course of justice. He said that although a suspect has been detained, the precise motive remains unclear.
“Details relating to the cause of this cruel incident remain sketchy,” he said, adding that the next of kin of the deceased have been informed.
What was initially believed to be a tragic fire incident in Usakos was on Sunday confirmed by police as a mass murder, including the death of four young children and a 90-year-old pensioner.
The man who was arrested at the scene is believed to be a relative of the family.
The victims were killed in their home in the Hakaseb location of the town before their bodies were reportedly deliberately set on fire, likely in an attempt to destroy evidence, according to police.
According to Erongo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the family was murdered with an iron axe and a knobkierie.
The deadly attack is believed to have occurred between 04:00 and 06:30 on Saturday morning. The victims sustained fatal injuries from blunt force trauma before their bodies were set on fire, resulting in first- to second-degree burns.
The deceased have been identified as Elisabeth Naruses (90), a pensioner; Fenny Naruses (18), who was a Grade 11 learner at Usakos Junior Secondary School; Ibra Naruses (6); Raunisha Boer (6); Rachel Boer (3) and Emi Naruses (3).
Murder weapon retrieved
Police have arrested an 18-year-old male suspect, who is reportedly related to the victims.
He was found at the scene with injuries to both feet and was taken to Usakos State Hospital for treatment.
A possible murder weapon, believed to be the axe used in the killings, was recovered from the scene.
Chief Inspector Shapumba confirmed that the case has been registered under charges of murder and defeating the course of justice. He said that although a suspect has been detained, the precise motive remains unclear.
“Details relating to the cause of this cruel incident remain sketchy,” he said, adding that the next of kin of the deceased have been informed.
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