Axe victim may be unable to tell
Doctors fear teenage axe-attack survivor Marli van Breda may have brain damage that could prevent her from telling detectives what happened during the horrifying slaughter of her family in a South African mansion.
As Marli's friends posted emotional social media tributes to the 16-year-old - calling her "invincible" - reports in South Africa yesterday suggested the police team investigating the deaths of Martin and Teresa van Breda and their eldest son Rudi could be strengthened, or even replaced.
Marli, a student at Presbyterian Ladies' College during her family's seven years living in Perth, suffered horrific head injuries and had her throat cut in the attack at the family home in Stellenbosch on January 27.
Van Breda family spokesman Ben Rootman confirmed last week that Marli was making steady progress in her recovery, showing movement in her legs and recognising close family from photographs.
"The medical and support teams are doing exceptionally good work for which the family is extremely grateful," Mr Rootman said.
"They realise that her recovery is a long-term process and all attention is focused on this."
But Marli is still not talking and South African newspaper The Sunday Times said worries were emerging that her head injuries were so serious she might never be able to tell investigators what happened on the night her family were killed.
Friends continue to post their support for Marli online, with her best friend Mia Boshoff revealing an emotional tribute to the teenager.
"I love you with all my heart, please fight hard," she said. "I prayed to God, asking him to be there with you. To hold your hand and play with your hair and to sing to you because that's what I would have done.
"Stay strong, my fighter."
Marli's surviving brother Henri has superficial injuries, which reports suggest may have been self-inflicted.
There are also suggestions Henri may have struggled with an ice addiction in the months before the triple murder.
Almost a month after the murders at the De Zalze Golf Estate, there have been no arrests - or even minor updates - from police into the hunt for the killers.
The News 24 network reported the so-called "research team" into the crime could soon be strengthened.
It may even be replaced.
