The Mercury

Families of gassed teens hurt

- Given Majola

THE families of the Pietermari­tzburg teenage couple found to have died from inhaling carbon monoxide gas said they had not heard even a word from the owners of the resort where the incident occurred.

Tashlin Sewnarian’s father, Prem Sewnarian, said he believed the owners of the resort where his son died together with his girlfriend, Taybah Adam Shaik, should have reached out to them.

“They did not send flowers and there was not even a phone call,” said Sewnarian.

Taybah Adam Shaik’s mother, Shenaaz Shaik, said she would not force or beg them to reach out to her.

“I have not heard anything from them. What I have heard is what I read in the newspapers,” she said.

The Peattie’s Lakeside Resort owner, Bruce Peattie, said the resort had been very sympatheti­c to the families.

“We were in massive shock. Members of the families came over and there were many people. While the police were going on with their work, we took the families to the restaurant area and offered tea. Some of them had drinks. We were very sympatheti­c to the families,” Peattie said.

The couple were found dead in a self-catering unit at the resort in Pietermari­tzburg on May 29. Police said this week that an autopsy confirmed that the couple had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Shenaaz Shaik said she did not believe the young couple could have committed suicide, as was initially believed.

“My life has come to a standstill. I now have nothing to live for.

“Losing my child was losing part of me,” she said.

Her WhatsApp status, updated 10 days ago, reads: “I miss u so much my baby. I long to hear ur voice, see ur smile, to hold u. I LOVE U MY ANGEL.”

It ends with a tearful emojicon.

Shaik said the couple would have been together for three years on June 23. She described Tashlin as an “awesome person”.

The police are continuing with their investigat­ion.

Sewnarian said they had been told that the police were awaiting a toxicology report, which could take three to six months.

Peattie said they were co-operating with the police investigat­ion.

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 ??  ?? Taybah Adam Shaik and Tashlin Sewnarian.
Taybah Adam Shaik and Tashlin Sewnarian.

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