The family of Hannah Cornelius are struggling with her shocking death. Photo/Facebook
The family of Hannah Cornelius are struggling with her shocking death. Photo/Facebook
The family of a student in South Africa who police say was raped, strangled and murdered after being abducted in a violent carjacking, held an emotional funeral service for the 21-year-old on Friday.
Hannah Cornelius was killed in Stellenbosch, South Africa, after she and her male friend, Cheslin Marsh, who survived the attack, were carjacked by four men.
A brownstone church in Fish Hoek, South Africa, filled with Cornelius's family, friends and classmates on Friday as they came together to celebrate the student's life.
Following the service, more than 100 bikers revved the engines of their motorbikes and went on a 'ride for Hannah'.
Relatives watched as bikers rode down Fish Hoek's Main road and stopped outside the Dutch Reformed Church.
Four men have been arrested in connection to the carjacking and murder: Eben van Niekerk, Nashwill Julies, Verson Witbooi, 32, and Geraldo Parsons, 26.
All four men face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, motor vehicle theft, rape and abduction.
Cornelius's cousin, Lali van Zuydam, said that the 21-year-old victim's parents have received support from around the world.
"Our family is choosing to focus on the joyful and loving person that Hannah was," van Zuydam, told News 24 on behalf of her family.
"There is no bitterness. There is no anger. There is just incredible loss."
"We console ourselves knowing that there are so many good people in the world," she added.
Cornelius and Marsh were chatting in a blue Volkswagen Citi Golf, which had been given to the student by her 91-year-old grandmother, when they were approached by four men.
Marsh was thrown into the boot of the vehicle while Cornelius was forced into the back seat, police said.
The pair's belongings were stolen before the university students were taken to an undisclosed location and beaten with bricks.
Marsh told police that he only survived by throwing himself over a wall to escape his captors.
Hannah Cornelius was killed last week. Photo/Facebook
A witness who found Marsh told News24 that he was 'barefoot and covered in blood, completely disorientated and didn't know where he was'.
Marsh suffered head injuries and a broken arm in the attack and is recovering in the hospital.
Meanwhile, Cornelius's body was found at 8.30am on Saturday on a road about 10km (six miles) outside Stellenbosch.
Police say she had been stabbed several times before being strangled. Her captors are also accused of raping her.
"I know that last night [we] arrested a 26 year-old-man from Cloetesville" which is now the fourth arrest that has been made. He will appear in court tomorrow' police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk told Times Live.
Cornelius and Marsh were students at the nearby University of Stellenbosch, according to local media reports.
Rector Professor Wim de Villiers told The South African that the university community was left shocked after the incident.
He said: "Our campus community is shocked by this senseless death and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the student who lost her life, as well as the student who was injured."
Cornelius's family released a statement following news of her death.
"It is with great shock and sadness that we learnt of the tragic death of our beloved Hannah Cornelius," the statement from her uncle, Andries Cornelius, said.
"The family does not have all the facts surrounding her death as yet.
"They have been advised to await the full report from the relevant authorities so as not to prejudice the investigation.
"Hannah was studying a degree in humanities at the University of Stellenbosch. At the time of her death, she was 21 years old.
"The amount of support the family has been receiving is testimony to what an amazing, loving and beautiful person our Hannah was. The family has requested that their privacy be respected in this very difficult time."
Her 18-year-old brother, who has severe autism, has not been able to comprehend his sister's death, Andreis Cornelius said.
