ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Perth axe attack: The reason why Henri van Breda murdered his family revealed

The truth finally comes to light. - by Nikki Black
  • 30 Jul 2018

Last month a South African court found Henri van Bred, a 32 year old Perth student, guilty of murdering his mother, father and brother, as well as the attempted murder of his sister.

And now, 60 Minutes is set to reveal some of the biggest mysteries surrounding the gruesome event that saw Henri, then 20, brutally murder his family with an axe in 2015.

In June, South African judge Siraj Desai described the attacks 
“savage and continuous”, and sentenced van Breda to life in prison.

Henri van Breda in court

Henri van Breda in court

Getty Images

However, despite the sentencing, many questions surrounding the murder still remain unanswered and van Breda has never revealed a motive for the murders, instead maintain that a mystery attacker broke in and killed his family, including his parents, Martin, 54, and Teresa, 55, and brother, Rudi, 22.

His sister Marli, then 16, suffered a cracked skull and a severed jugular in the attack, which left her with severe head injuries and retrograde amnesia—she does not recall the rampage.

Henri, who grew up in Perth and was on a gap year from his University of Melbourne physics degree at the time of the murders attracted suspicion from police right from the start after claiming on the night of the murders he fought off a masked man who had slaughtered his family.

Henri and girlfriend

Henri and girlfriend Danielle Janse van Rensburg

Getty Images

Attending police officer Sergeant Adrian Kleynhans “found no sign of forced entry at the home,” he told the court. “It didn’t fit in with my experience of a crime scene."

Further, the doctor who examined Henri told investigators he suspected the scratches and bruises on his arms were self-inflicted.

At 4.24 AM, Henri made a call to his then-girlfriend, Bianca, but it went unanswered, a summery of the facts presented in court revealed.

Three minutes
 later he searched for emergency numbers using Google, but it wasn’t until 7.12 AM that he made the emergency call.
 Henri says he fell unconscious during this time, then had
 a “calming” smoke before
 calling authorities.

Henri was found at the scene “dressed in a pair of sleep shorts and white socks,” read a court document. “A DNA analysis of blood found on the accused and on his clothing matches the DNA of the three deceased.”

60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes is set to speak with Henri’s current girlfriend Danielle Janse van Rensburg – whom he met after the murders - and his aunt Leenta Nell, who both maintain his innocence.

7 News Perth on Twitter

This article originally appeared on New Idea.

Nikki Black
Nikki is obsessed with all things celebrity and dreams she is a long-lost Kardashian. You'll find her binging Netflix's latest 'must-watch' show with a jar of Nutella by her side.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Former Perth schoolboy who reportedly murdered his entire family has case heard in court

Former Perth schoolboy who reportedly murdered his entire family has case heard in court

Could this CAR SOLVE my sister’s MURDER?

Could this CAR SOLVE my sister’s MURDER?

Man who killed his daughters, wife and mother-in-law to die in jail

Man who killed his daughters, wife and mother-in-law to die in jail

My sister killed our sweet pop for $1000

My sister killed our sweet pop for $1000

{headline}

{headline}

Dying woman drives herself to cafe after stab attack

Dying woman drives herself to cafe after stab attack

Dad from hell: He killed our mum and sister to destroy us

Dad from hell: He killed our mum and sister to destroy us

Devil mum forced her boys to kill their sister

Devil mum forced her boys to kill their sister

{headline}

{headline}

Christmas Day killer dies in car crash

Christmas Day killer dies in car crash

I killed Dad and buried him in the backyard

I killed Dad and buried him in the backyard

Shocking bashing leaves Aussie father-of-two with fractured skull

Shocking bashing leaves Aussie father-of-two with fractured skull

Aussie couple hospitalised after being bashed outside own home

Aussie couple hospitalised after being bashed outside own home

Man questioned over shocking faeces vandalism at Australian war memorial

Man questioned over shocking faeces vandalism at Australian war memorial

Family left heartbroken after man’s body found

Family left heartbroken after man’s body found

Grandfather bashed trying to stop street fight

Grandfather bashed trying to stop street fight

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!