Jason Rohde: Murder accused reveals details of rocky marriage with slain wife

Murder accused, Jason Rohde took the stand at the Western High Court on Monday, where he revealed details of a big fallout with his wife, Susan, who’s lifeless body was found at Spier Hotel in 2016.

Susan’s death was initially to have taken her own life but, after further investigation, her husband was later accused of staging the suicide and charged with murder.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and, on Monday he gave a detailed account of the events which took place in the hours leading up to the morning when his wife was found hanging from the bathroom door of their hotel room.

Rohde confessed that he was involved in an extramarital affair which Susan had knowledge of, and as a result their marriage was quite rocky.

“My conduct ripped my family apart,” he said.

“It has devastated my family and I know, if it wasn’t for my disgusting behaviour, Susan would still be alive today.”

He also revealed that after Susan had found out about the affair in February 2016, she made him call the other woman and end things with her.

Also read: SA woman found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Bahamas

Jason also told the court that on the night leading up to the discovery of Susan’s body the following morning, he had told her that he was planning on ending their 23-year marriage.

“I had fallen out of love with her,” he said.

“Divorce was definitely an option for me, but I didn’t want to hurt my children.”

On the night, they were attending a convention in which Susan had insisted on attending, as the other woman, Jason’s colleague was also going to be there.

Jason testified that, while getting ready to attend the function, he texted his mistress, whom he had started seeing behind his wife’s back again.

Susan caught him as he was deleting the message, which led to a huge blow out where he told her he was done with their marriage.

He told the court how his affair affected Susan, who was always sad and angry, but said he never anticipated that she would go as far as taking her own life.

Rohde will again appear in court when the trial resumes on Tuesday morning.

Also read: Poppie van der Merwe’s mother and stepfather handed life sentences for murder