Dominic Adriaanse
THE 11-year-old Shamonique Shawn-Dean Claasen was a darling, a little bit of sunshine, Elaine Williams said of her cousin, who was found dead after going missing from her Paarl home at the weekend.
The body of Shamonique was found in a relative’s house, under a bed, wrapped in a black bag which was tied with wire.
Police took a 23-year-old into custody. A cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Yesterday her parents, Shawn Lewis and Magdeline Claasen
, went to identify her body and were too distraught to speak.
Williams said the family and neighbours launched a frantic search for her on Saturday when her mother could not find her.
On Sunday, Shamonique’s 11th birthday, Dal Weide Primary School, where she was a Grade 5 pupil, opened its doors so it could be used as a base for the search.
The family live in a wendy house in Groenheuwel, Paarl. She went missing on Saturday after her mother went shopping. Shamonique was with her sisters.
Williams said when her mother returned home, Shamonique was not there.
She became worried and started searching with the help of family and friends.
The family reported her missing on Sunday morning.
“The police assisted with the search, along with neighbours and teachers from her school, handing
out pamphlets, and I used Facebook to reach more people,” said Williams.
Then a family member noticed a strange smell coming from around the relative’s house, but they assumed it was a dead mouse. “They found her body, under a bed, wrapped in a black bag, tied with wire,” a distraught Williams said.
“Samo was a darling child, my husband called her a little bit of sunshine. That’s what she brought with her every time she entered a room,” said Williams.
Shamonique’s teacher, Allison Naidoo, described her as a friendly and bright pupil who had real leadership qualities.
She said as a way to help them cope with their emotions, she had asked her class to write letters to Shamonique.
Principal Chris Bam said: “We arranged some trauma counselling for our pupils.”
SAPS spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “A 23-year-old male was taken into custody for questioning.”