A man initially arrested for stealing a gas cylinder has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after DNA evidence linked him to the murder and rape of 55-year-old Anna Abrahams, committed in 2012 when he was just 16 years old.
Shaun Romano Keyser, from Prince Albert in the Western Cape, was arrested last year for theft, which led police to take a DNA sample. This sample eventually connected him to the unsolved case of Abrahams, prompting Keyser to confess to the crime.
“For 12 years, he walked around the streets of Prince Albert and past the deceased’s house with her family, not knowing that her murderer was someone known to them who was homeless,” said Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Western Cape.
The Discovery of Abrahams’ Body
Anna Abrahams’ body was found on the evening of February 11, 2012. Preliminary postmortem results indicated that she had been raped, and the cause of death was recorded as acute alcohol intoxication. Despite the initial findings, police made no arrests in the case.
Fast forward twelve years, and Keyser's grandmother opened a theft case against him for allegedly stealing her gas cylinder. During his arrest, police took his DNA sample, which was sent for analysis to check if he was wanted for any other crimes. “The DNA evidence linked him to the deceased’s rape and murder, and these results set the wheels of justice in motion,” Ntabazalila explained.
Keyser's Confession
Following the DNA match, Keyser was charged with Abrahams' rape and murder. He provided a warning statement and a confession, claiming that he was forced to have sex with the deceased by two older co-accused who threatened him. However, he denied killing her.
Unhappy with the findings regarding the cause of Abrahams' death, Prosecutor Hyron Goulding sought a second opinion from Dr Hurst. The initial postmortem noted that the deceased’s high blood alcohol content of 0.31 grams per 100 ml was the cause of death due to intoxication.
Dr Hurst later confirmed in a supplementary affidavit that individuals with a blood alcohol level above this threshold are considered very heavily intoxicated and unable to provide legal consent for sexual activity. “In that state, nobody can act clearly, and she could not give consent for sex,” Ntabazalila stated.
New Findings and Keyser's Lies
Further examination revealed evidence of petechial hemorrhage on Abrahams' heart and lungs, indicating asphyxia. Dr Hurst concluded that the deceased likely suffocated during the assault, stating, “While being sodomised, she would have been forced to face downwards and most likely was unable to breathe as her airways would have been obstructed."
The insistence on a second opinion strengthened the state's case against Keyser. Investigators traced the two individuals he claimed forced him to have sex with Abrahams, but DNA results excluded them; only Keyser's DNA was found on the victim. The police had no evidence against the other alleged accomplices other than Keyser's unverifiable assertions.
“This case is a clear example of how science and the law come together in successfully solving crime through DNA evidence,” Ntabazalila noted. The family of the deceased had long sought justice and were relieved that their loved one’s killer had finally been unveiled, despite living quietly in the same neighbourhood for years.
When questioned in court about his silence over twelve years, Keyser claimed he was waiting for the police to approach him.
Sentencing and Community Response
The Oudtshoorn Regional Court ultimately sentenced Keyser to 20 years. Adv Nicolette Bell, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, commended the investigation and prosecution teams for their diligence, stating, “This case was not another brutal cold case that goes unsolved.” She highlighted the conviction as a testament to the hard work and unwavering commitment of the team to ensure justice for Abrahams and her family.
As the community begins to heal, this case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of perseverance in the pursuit of justice, illustrating how advancements in forensic science can bring long-awaited answers to tragic events.
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