The Murder
Leigh was abducted from the parking lot at her college. Shortly after her kidnapping, local police embarked on a large-scale hunt, which caught the attention of the South African media. Shortly after the kidnapping, a ransom demand of R50,000 was made to Leigh's father, who dropped off the money. He was able to hold a short telephone conversation with her after that; it was to be their last communication.
Leigh's body was discovered by a grass-cutter in Walkerville, Johannesburg on 21 July 2004. An autopsy revealed that whilst she was found naked, save for some earrings, she had not been raped or sexually violated in any way. She had been found with a single bullet wound to the back of her head. Further investigation showed that it was possible that she had been 'frozen' or refrigerated, although this was never proven in court.
The seemingly senseless murder sparked a nationwide and international outrage, with posters of Leigh Matthew's photo becoming common around the country.
Read more about this topic: Leigh Matthews (South Africa)
Famous quotes containing the word murder:
“What drivel it all is!... A string of words called religion. Another string of words called philosophy. Half a dozen other strings called political ideals. And all the words either ambiguous or meaningless. And people getting so excited about them they’ll murder their neighbours for using a word they don’t happen to like. A word that probably doesn’t mean as much as a good belch. Just a noise without even the excuse of gas on the stomach.”
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963)
“‘O blissful God, that art so just and true,
Lo, how that thou bewrayest murder alway!
Murder will out, that see we day by day.
Murder is so wlatsom and abominable”
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400)