Family heartbroken after mom killed in frenzied attack

Stabbed to death before her lover took his own life, a Gqeberha creche owner and former nurse’s family have been left devastated.

Curtains drenched in blood and blood splatters on the floors and walls of the Algoa Park home the woman had rented for her partner, paint a grim picture of what unfolded at the weekend during what is believed to have been a murder-suicide.

It is alleged that Gianon Lloyd, 31, stabbed Jacqueline “Jackie” Leander, 49, in a frenzied knife attack.

The mother of three put up a ferocious fight, even breaking the window in the living room in a desperate bid to escape.

Lloyd then tied a rope to a pipe attached to the geyser and hanged himself.

Leander’s close friend was worried when she could not reach her on Saturday and, fearing she might be in danger, alerted the police.

Police had to break through the front door to gain entry.

On Monday, the door had been screwed back on.

Inside the two-bedroom house, the smell of blood and alcohol lingered.

In the backyard, bloodstained curtains and a carpet were lying on the grass.

The landlord, who did not want to be named, said he had cleaned the house himself.

He said it was the first time he had encountered anything like it.

“I still need to clean the rest of the place ... but I am getting there.”

Neighbours, who also declined to be named, said Lloyd had moved in about a month ago.

“He wasn’t living here for very long; he had just moved in,” one neighbour said.

Another neighbour said: “There was always drama there ... one time when the lady [Leander] visited him, they were chasing each other down the street.

“They were always fighting, verbally ... but when the incident happened, we didn’t hear anything.

“He also had a dog but that night there was no dog, and the dog hasn’t been seen again.

“We actually thought they were mother and son.”

The neighbours said they went to the scene after the police showed up.

The close friend who alerted the police said on Monday that Leander had dropped the dog off at her place on the Friday morning.

She declined to comment further.

At Leander’s creche, Scooby Doo Daycare in Windvogel, the gate was locked.

In a notice, seen by The Herald, the school said it would reopen next week and was closed out of respect for Leander.

Leander’s cousin, Desiree Kala, 52, said she was still in shock.

“She was the pillar of our family, the glue that kept all of us together,” Kala said from her Windvogel home.

“Jackie lived for her kids, and was a typical people’s person.

“She was also always there for the community and was never afraid to speak her mind.”

Kala said the family knew about Leander’s relationship with Lloyd.

“We knew him as Reagan, we didn’t know his full name.

“I guess she was yearning for love and acceptance and found solace in the arms of this younger man.

“Remember, she was married for almost 30 years before she separated from her husband.

“She was a good person and we miss her dearly.”

Kala said Leander adored children.

“That’s why she became an educator after her nursing career came to an end.

“She loved working with kids, Scooby Doo Daycare was her pride and joy.”

Kala said when she arrived at the house, police were already there.

“They asked us if we were family.

“They then said Jackie had been killed and they wanted to know if we would like to see the body.

“We declined, but looking through the window we saw them remove Reagan’s body from the rope.”

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said that at about 8.30pm on Saturday, the body of a woman was found lying in a pool of blood at a house in Boekenhout Street, Algoa Park.

“The police were alerted after a concerned friend informed them that the deceased could be in danger.

“When police arrived at the house, entry was breached by breaking the door.

“The victim was found on the floor with multiple stab wounds. A male was found hanging in the bathroom.

“An inquest and murder case was opened for further investigation,” Naidu said.

“Police are urging victims of abuse to reach out for help as soon as possible ... support and professional help are available to provide assistance and guidance.

“Communities need to play their part in also notifying the necessary authorities if someone they know is experiencing abuse, reaching out to a trusted person or a helpline can provide the necessary support.

“Reporting any signs of abuse can help prevent further harm and ensure that appropriate action is taken.”

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