The body of Grade 10 pupil Deveney Nel was discovered in a storeroom at Overberg High School, deepening the mystery surrounding her murder.
Story Summary:
- Deveney Nel, a Grade 10 pupil from Overberg High School, was found dead in a storeroom on the school premises.
- She was reported missing by her mother after failing to return home to Grabouw.
- Police have opened a murder case and transferred the investigation to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes team.
- Deveney lived in the Nerina Hostel, a residence for female pupils.
Who murdered Deveney Nel? – Here’s what we know
Deveney Nel was last seen alive on Wednesday when she was supposed to return home to Grabouw after school.
Her mother reported her missing to the Grabouw police when she did not arrive as expected.
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed in a statement that a search party was quickly formed by SAPS Caledon, which later discovered her body in a storeroom on the school premises.
Medical personnel on the scene declared her deceased, and a murder case has been opened.
It’s not confirmed at this stage if Deveney was a resident of Nerina Hostel, one of the boarding school residences at Overberg High School that houses 90 female pupils.
The hostel, which opened in 1960, is described by the school as a “home away from home,” where girls can develop, forge friendships, and build lasting memories.
This serene and supportive environment now contrasts starkly with the tragic death of Deveney, casting a pall over what was once a close-knit community.
The discovery of Deveney’s body in a seemingly secure location within the school has heightened the sense of fear and suspicion among students and staff.
There is a growing belief that her killer may have been someone she knew. The school, deeply distressed by the incident, was closed on Thursday as authorities continued their probe into the shocking crime.
With the investigation still in its early stages, police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The case has been transferred to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes team.
Details surrounding her death remain scant, and the police have yet to disclose any potential suspects or motives.
