Identikit released of Jayde murder suspect
AS the devastated family of Riebeek College teacher Jayde Panayiotou prepare to bury her tomorrow, police have released an identikit of the man being sought for questioning in connection with her abduction and killing.
The man, whose name has still not been released, has been on the run since last week. He is being hunted by a special task team.
Popular Uitenhage teacher Panayiotou, 29, was abducted on Tuesday at 6.30am while waiting outside her Kabega Park townhouse complex for a friend to pick her up for work.
Provincial police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said the identikit was compiled with the assistance of experts who referenced other photos of the man to come up with a clearer picture of him. “Anyone who recognises him or knows his whereabouts should contact the police.” This comes as Panayiotou’s family prepare for her funeral service at the Mater Dei Catholic Church in Cape Road, Newton Park, at 2pm tomorrow. It will be private, for family and close friends only.
Panayiotou’s body was found on a farm in Rocklands, outside Uitenhage, on Wednesday morning after a massive search-andrescue operation. She had been shot once in the head and twice in the chest.
On Friday, Mills released photographs of Panayiotou’s engagement and wedding rings, both made of palladium and set with princess cut diamonds and believed to have been taken during her abduction.
One of the two men being sought
has also been linked to the hijacking of a pregnant woman at the Greenacres shopping centre in Februar y.
Police are also investigating a possible link to the hijacking of Brymore resident Conrad Seymour, 34, in Sidwell on Thursday.
Police are appealing to anyone who recognises the man to call Warrant Officer Anel van Eyk on (041) 397-6857, the Kabega Park police station on (041) 397-683 or emergency call centre 10111.
ý Bay businessman Bernhard Wolf started a petition at the weekend called “Referendum on the Death Penalty – Let South Africans decide”.
In an e-mail sent to various media houses, Wolf states the petition was inspired after Panayiotou’s murder and abduction.
“This petition will hopefully make politicians of all parties take the public more seriously . . .”
By yesterday afternoon the online petition had more than 1 500 signatures.