Gabriela’s father stays here to see justice done
In pain over his daughter’s death, Howdy waits for a verdict
MANY Americans have the idea that you can come to South Africa, particularly Cape Town, murder your wife and get away with it. But Howdy Kabrins, the father of Gabriela Kabrins Alban, 39, who was murdered in Camps Bay in 2015, hopes there will be justice for his daughter.
Alban was murdered, allegedly by her boyfriend, Diego Novella, in their hotel.
The Guatemalan businessman said he has been in court since the start of the trial.
“I have been in Cape Town for two years and seven months and have not missed a day in court.
“I am hoping there will be justice for my Gaby.”
He said there was an idea, in the States, that men could come to Cape Town, kill their wives or partners and get away with it.
He used the example of British businessman, Shrien Dewani, who went on trial for orchestrating his wife’s murder but walked free.
“The impression, when I first came here, was that men got away with murder here, especially privileged men.”
He said the murder of his only daughter has left his family devastated and they were still struggling to come to terms with it.
“Our world has stopped for the last two years. When he killed Gabriela, he gave us a life sentence.”
He said they have been receiving a lot of support, but the pain was not something that just went away.
“Losing your child to murder is different to losing a child by disease or to an accident, especially this murder, because it was so horrific. To know that someone intentionally killed your child – well, you just don’t know where to put it in your mind. It’s totally different.”
Kabrins said the accused was very wealthy and privileged and Kabrins hoped he would not be able to “pay his way out”.
Kabrins said he has been thinking about forgiving Novella, but said it was not something he was able to do yet.
“I am here to get justice for Gaby and some day I hope I can build a foundation in her name to help abused women and those hurt by domestic violence.
“I hope that when the trial is done, I can do something special in her name.”