anthea thopps

Photo: Facebook / Anthea Thopps

Who killed Anthea Thopps? Murder of mom unsettles Beaufort West

The Beaufort West community has been rocked by the brutal murder of Anthea Thopps and police have not made much progress in identifying her killer.

anthea thopps

Photo: Facebook / Anthea Thopps

The death of Anthea Thopps, the mother of a three-year-old boy, has angered the Beaufort West community.

It is for this reason that residents have planned an anti-violence march to raise their discontent with the local law enforcement and its apparent inability to contain the scourge of violence in the Great Karoo town.

What happened to Anthea Thopps?

The body of 30-year-old Anthea Thopps was found on Sunday afternoon after residents on Renier Street, in Rustdene, alerted her mother, Miriam, of their suspicion that her home may have been broken into.

According to an IOL News report, Thopps’ mother rushed to her home and made the gruesome discovery no parent wishes to stumble upon.

The 30-year-old’s body was sprawled across the floor, dressed in nothing but a t-shirt. According to police spokesperson, Captain Malcolm Pojie, the last time Thopps was seen alive was in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“The possibility that she was raped is also being investigated, but cannot be confirmed until an autopsy has been performed on the body,” Captain Pojie revealed.

While the cause of her death has yet to be established, it is believed that Miriam found Thopps with her hands tied and ligature marks on her neck.

Has a suspect been identified?

Investigators noticed that some of Thopps’ belongings had been stolen, including her cellphone and tablet. In an early breakthrough, it is believed that an unknown male has been questioned by police regarding his involvement in the brutal murder.

The man was found in possession of Thopps’ missing cellphone, lurking in and around the scene of the crime. At this point, Captain Pojie cannot confirm if any charges have been laid against the man.

Beaufort West community to march against violence

The death of Thopps has caused public outrage in the community. The growing scourge of violence in the Great Karoo town prompted residents to stage an anti-violence march to send a clear message of accountability to law enforcement.

According to Brian Jooste, a Beaufort West community member, the aim of the march is to inform the local police of their disgruntlement with their apparent inability to contain the violence that has gripped the town in fear.

These are the details of the march: