Another family suicide claims two lives

By Tarryn Le Chat

According to the Weekend Arugs, in a fifth family murder in Cape Town in the past fortnight, a Parow businessman yesterday afternoon, sent his two young daughters out of the house and then shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.

Minutes before the shooting, Jacques Hunter told his sister-in-law, who was visiting the family, to leave the house and take the couple's two girls, aged four and nine, with her.

As soon as they were outside Hunter shot his wife, Sonia, in the chest, head and neck. He then shot himself in the head.

Shocked neighbours gathered outside the house in Oldham Street, Parow, as police cordoned off the area. Several said they had rushed out when they heard the gun shots.

Jonathan Whelan, who lives several houses away said, "I was working in my garden when I heard five gun shots. I looked over my wall and saw a woman running out of the house with a small child".

Whelan said he had seen Jacques earlier in the morning when he had driven past the house and had greeted him. According to the neighbour, Hunter's sister-in-law had called the police while rushing out of the house.

A Netcare 911 paramedic who assisted at the scene said 36-year-old Sonia was unconscious when they arrived. "She was still alive when we arrived. We immediately treated her, but upon leaving the house she went into cardiac arrest. She died at the scene", said the paramedic.

Police spokesperson Elliot Sinyangana said, "At this stage the motive has not yet been established". However, he said there were allegations that the couple had domestic problems.

The young girls have been sent to be with their grandmother.

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