Happy in ‘house of death’
LAUGHTER rings out once more in the place Chatsworth residents know as the “house of death”.
New owners have settled in the double-storey house in Timeura Grove, Moorton, where in December 2013 home owner Rajen Kandasamy bludgeoned his wife, Versha “Mala” Kandasamy, 41, son Megandran, 17, and daughter Melarisa,18, to death using a traditional mace or gada.
For two years the four-bedroom house remained empty. It began to fall into a state of disrepair, with fittings stolen, and soon became an eyesore.
However, in 2015, a decision was made to sell the property and the home was bought by a family of four.
Now the laughter of children fills the rooms and there are squeals of delight outside when they’re on the jungle gym.
The new home owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he was aware of the history, but not fazed by it.
“When the story broke, I remember reading about it and felt sad that something like this had happened in Chatsworth, especially for those who lost their lives,” he said.
“I never really read up on the story afterward.”
The 32-year-old said he and his wife had been looking to buy a house and decided to make an offer when it went on sale.
“The house was in a terrible condition. The grass was overgrown, the windows had been stolen, all the copper pipes were gone,” he said. “The house was dilapidated inside. The cupboards were broken. Everything had been destroyed.”
The father of two said whatever furniture the Kandasamys had left had been donated to welfare organisations.
“We stripped the house, leaving only the shell and the roof. We repainted, put in new cupboards, a new kitchen and bathrooms. Everything was renovated and there is no trace of the old house.
“Since a family was murdered in the home, we decided to have a cleansing prayer before we moved in. To date, we’ve had no problems. Every night before we go to bed, my wife and I pray with our children. We don’t allow what happened in the house to affect us.”
He said they had received a warm welcome to the neighbourhood since moving in.
“We are looking forward to raising our children in the home in this community.”