Marissa Coetzee

Marissa Coetzee (1988 - 2008)

Brief overview:

Marissa (20), who worked for the Glenwood golf in Knysna, was found stabbed to death, on the morning of Friday 11th July, at a viewpoint near the Outeniqua Pass. Marissa had also been robbed and raped.

Police spokesman Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe said Coetzee’s body was found behind rocks at a viewing point on the pass last Friday after a tip-off from an anonymous caller.

Brief Biography:

• Other Victims/Family
• Funeral/Memorial
  • More than 250 people attended her memorial service in George on Wednesday 16th July. Coetzee was buried in Heidelberg, Gauteng, on Friday 18th July.
• The Street/Suburb
• The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)

Attack Details:

• Date and time of attack
• Weapons
• Items Stolen
• Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
• Torture, Gratuitous violence
• Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.

Perpetrator details:

• Number and Descriptions
• Arrests
  • "The suspect, Vernon de Koker (24), a rugby player for Blanco, was arrested the following day at 11h00 by investigating officer Inspector Alie du Plessis in Fortuin Street, Blanco," said police spokesperson Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe on Monday.
• Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s

Country of origin of Perpetrator/s

• Trial/Conviction
  • Koker was convicted on charges of robbery, rape and murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

De Koker appealed his sentence. On 4th December 2009, judgement was delivered by AJ Breitenbach, and his appeal was dismissed. (Reportable Case No.: A484/09).

Additional Biographical Information:

Links to Media articles:

• https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/sunday-times-1107/20080720...
• https://archive.is/tMom8
• https://archive.is/wLTBA
• https://web.archive.org/web/20080718021136/http://www.news24.com/Be...
• https://archive.ph/Xsj1k
• https://web.archive.org/web/20090417054638/http://www.dieburger.com...
• https://web.archive.org/web/20110429151800/http://www.health24.com/...