Cape Town - Almost three months after the brutal murder of her family and sustaining serious head injuries, Marli van Breda has been discharged from rehabilitation and is recovering with family friends.
Marli survived the brutal axe attack that left her parents, Martin and Teresa, as well as her brother Rudi, 22, dead.
Sixteen-year-old Marli and her 20-year-old brother Henri are the only survivors of the January attack at the De Zalze Golf Estate in Stellenbosch, which left her with a fractured skull, extensive brain trauma and a severed jugular.
According to the family’s attorney, Debbie Wybrow, Marli has retrograde amnesia and they are not sure how long it will last.
“While she is reacting favourably to all the treatment she is receiving, she has retrograde amnesia. She cannot recall anything at all about the attack.
“According to her medical team, this is not strange and commonly occurs with patients who have suffered such traumatic experiences. In some cases the situation remains for life. A long road of rehabilitation lies ahead.”
She added that Marli had no recollection of the day and several days before her family was killed. She was in the care of family friends.
“The therapy Marli is receiving includes physiotherapy, speech and occupational therapy, and psychological counselling. She is enjoying visits from close school friends as part of her re-entry into society.”
Henri had not seen her yet.
A curator has been appointed to safeguard Marli’s interests and to report to the high court on the best way forward for her.
“The people in her life are working together to ensure that Marli is being nurtured, with input from legal and medical teams. She has been fortunate to receive expert treatment from an outstanding medical and nursing team, and continues to benefit from the support of family, friends, her community and many people across the world.”
Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said they were not able to comment on the investigation.
“Although significant progress is being made with regards to our investigations into the De Zalze murders, this progress cannot be shared with the media at this stage. Once we are in the position to disclose the finer aspects of the case, we will make an official announcement.”
No arrests have been made in connection with the murders.
Cape Argus