SWAKOPMUND – A suspect, who was arrested over the weekend for the murder of Caroline Joshlyn Gaweses, who was found dead on Saturday morning in Arandis, has been released.

The suspect was initially brought to court on Tuesday morning to make his first appearance on a charge of murder.

 He could not appear in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s court, as the magistrate had other commitments.

However, Erongo Police spokesperson Ileni Shapumba yesterday said the suspect has been released from police custody.

“He has not been charged for the murder; he remains a person of interest for now,” Shapumba explained.

Gaweses (36) was found dead by a passer-by on Saturday morning.

Police believe she was killed elsewhere and her body dumped next to the footpath along Hornbill street.

“She was found barefoot, on her side, and with a loosely-tied shoelace around her neck. The circumstances surrounding her death are not clear, but we believe she was killed elsewhere,” said Shapumba.

He told New Era Gaweses, who lives in Swakopmund, went to Arandis on Friday to visit her boyfriend. 

“The boyfriend allegedly left her with his brother at his place and went to work at around 22h30. He was working the night shift at the mine,” Shapumba stated.

He added the victim allegedly met a female relative at a local bar, and left this relative there at around 23h20 without saying where she was going.

A post-mortem is being conducted to establish the exact cause of death.

Shapumba indicated that her cell phone has not been recovered.

“We are now appealing to anyone with information that could help us to arrest the suspect/s to urgently contact deputy commissioner Erastus Iikuyu at 0812464757 or detective chief inspector Elia Orub at 0812605984. Detective sergeant Jonas Karunga can also be contacted at 0814811487, or you can visit your nearest police station,” he said. 

- edeklerk@nepc.com