Content warning: this article contains sensitive information.
A horrifying and deadly incident occurred over the weekend when a young engineer, Lizka-Mari Nell, 23, lost her life after a vicious attack during a camping trip at a resort in Hartbeespoort. Her partner, Nicholas Wincento, aged 25, also sustained serious injuries during the incident.
According to reports by Keep The Energy, Nell and Wincento had been on a camping excursion at a resort in Hartbeespoort when the tragedy took place.
The couple were asleep in their tent at approximately 11:00 pm on Friday 22 September when they were awoken by a disturbance.
Wincento, acting quickly, exited the tent to investigate and was confronted by a group of five men, some of whom were armed.
One of the assailants proceeded to shoot Wincento in his right leg before the group appeared to flee the scene.
In an attempt to seek help from neighbours, Wincento’s efforts were thwarted when the assailants swiftly returned and opened fire on him once again.
This time, Wincento sustained another gunshot wound to his left leg and a back injury.
Nell, who had remained in the tent, began screaming, prompting the attackers to unleash a hail of gunfire at the tent. Nell was shot multiple times in her arm, chest, and stomach before the assailants fled.
According to reports by The Citizen, the couple were rushed to Brits Hospital at midnight and subsequently discharged just four hours later, around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday. They then returned to Nell’s parents’ residence in Randfontein to recover.
However, Nell’s condition took a turn for the worse, prompting another urgent hospitalisation. She was transferred to Lenmed Hospital in Randfontein, where her condition initially stabilised.
Later on Sunday, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Nell underwent surgery, during which doctors discovered damage to her colon and small intestine caused by the gunshot wound.
Following the operation, Lizka-Mari was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) but succumbed to her injuries on Monday morning after entering septic shock.
The incident has left the community in shock. No arrests have been made of the assailants responsible for this brutal attack.
Our thoughts are with the couple’s families at this difficult time.
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Feature Image: Instagram / @keeptheenergy
