Verushka Nel, a 19-year-old woman from Gqeberha, passed away five days after she was shot in the head by two men who broke into her apartment. Before her passing, Nel revealed the names of her alleged shooters.
Verushka, who lived in a rented apartment in Booysen Park, Gqeberha, was in her bedroom on August 17 when she heard a knock at the door.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, two men proceeded to enter Nel’s apartment and bedroom, where shots were then fired. Before fleeing the scene, the men took Nel’s cellphone.
Verushka lay in a pool of her own blood for 24 hours before she was discovered by a neighbour. She was then promptly rushed off to the hospital. Nel had sustained severe injuries but fought for her life for five days after the shooting.
Before her passing, Verushka reportedly named her shooters (several times over) to her mother who had been at her side, and to investigators.
Speaking to IOL, Jackie Nel said that her daughter knew the killers.
“She told me their names and also to investigators over and over; when she fell asleep she would scream and wake up calling their names,” she said.
In another quote published by News24, Jackie says:
“She couldn’t wait for me to get to her and she told me exactly who did this. She knew them. They did not care about her life at all.”
On her fifth day in hospital on 22 August, Verushka fell into a coma before passing away on the same day. She fought bravely up until her last moment.
Jackie, as quoted by News24, said:
“Verushka was still fine on the Tuesday morning, but then the hospital called and said she was in a coma. We rushed to her bedside and that’s where we spent the day until she passed away at 20:15 that night.”
Police spokesperson Naidu reports that a case of murder is being investigated by the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation (Gang Investigation), adding that no arrests have been made for the murder, as of yet.
Jackie remembers her daughter as a cheerful girl with a bright personality, adding that she was the kind of person who would always try to help others out, even if that meant putting herself in harm’s way.
In a quote published by News24, Jackie says:
“She was a happy girl, with a wonderful personality. She wanted to help the world, even if it meant putting herself in harm’s way. She loved helping people. It hurts so much. She was so young and had her whole life ahead of her. But God kept her alive to tell her story before He took her.”
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Verushka worked at a frail care centre for the elderly. She had a passion for makeup and nail design, and reportedly had plans to open up her own beauty salon.
Our thoughts are with Nel’s family and friends in this difficult time.
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Feature Image: Facebook
