Carla Bernardo
Western Cape police on Wednesday said that three suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Franziska Blöchliger in popular Tokai Forest in Cape Town.
“Three suspects between the ages of 22 and 27 are being detained for questioning in connection with the murder of Franziska Blochliger after their arrest last night,” said Western Cape police spokesperson Andrè Traut.
“The circumstances surrounding the case are still under investigation and no further information can be released at this stage.”
Blöchliger was murdered on Monday afternoon after she went for a jog through the forest, agreeing to a meeting spot with her mother.
When Blöchliger did not arrive at the spot after 25 minutes, her mother Shireen Blöchliger contacted her husband to let him know what had happened. Father Florian arrived and a 30-minute search was conducted by the family.
During this time, Florian said he had received a phone call from his daughter. According to reports, he did not hear his daughter’s voice but those of other children apparently screaming.
The family then reported Blöchliger missing to the relevant authorities and after another search of roughly 30 minutes, her body was found roughly 150 metres from the agreed meeting spot.
Initial autopsy reports suggest Blöchliger was strangled, but further examinations were still underway.
– African News Agency (ANA)