Christina “Nikki” Joseph, and her daughter, Brooklyn Hemmero.
Image: Supplied
A PIETERMARITZBURG woman recounted the harrowing moments of hearing screams before witnessing a violent attack through a flat door – a man stabbing her neighbour to death with a kitchen knife before attempting to kill himself.
This incident claimed the lives of Christina “Nikki” Joseph, 34, and her daughter, Brooklyn Hemmero, 15, who had been strangled earlier in the day in their Woodlands flat, last Tuesday evening.
On Monday, Joseph’s boyfriend, Kyle Francis, 37, appeared briefly in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court, on charges of murder.
He abandoned his bid for bail, and was remanded into custody until his next court appearance in April.
Sergeant Sifiso Gwala, communications officer for the Umgungundlovu District SAPS, said Francis tried to kill himself by using a razor blade to slit his throat.
“It was established that the woman had returned home from work at about 8pm, and found her daughter lying unresponsive on the bed. It is alleged that the suspect attacked the mother, and repeatedly stabbed her with a kitchen knife. A neighbour witnessed the incident and contacted the police.”
Christina “Nikki” Joseph, and her daughter, Brooklyn Hemmero.
Image: Supplied
Speaking to the POST this week, Carolina Chetty, Joseph’s cousin, said they called for swift justice.
“He destroyed their lives and he destroyed our families. He must be punished.”
Chetty said the family were devastated.
“At their funeral, a neighbour told us that Nikki had called her from work and asked her to check on Brooklyn. Nikki told her that she had tried to call Brooklyn after school, but she did not answer her phone, and she was worried.
“The neighbour said when she knocked on their door, Nikki’s partner, who she had been with for about three years, opened the door. The neighbour said she told him that Nikki wanted to talk to Brooklyn.
“He told her to tell Nikki not to worry, and Brooklyn was sleeping. When the neighbour called Nikki and told her what he said, she told the neighbour to go back and wake her up because Brooklyn never slept in the day. But when the neighbour went back, he did not answer,” she said.
Kyle Francis.
Image: Supplied
Chetty said the neighbour informed them that a short while later she heard screams from Joseph's flat.
“She said Nikki, who worked for a company in Howick, had come home early. The neighbour said she ran to the flat when she heard Nikki repeatedly screaming, ‘come see what he did to my baby’.
“The neighbour said when she got to the flat, the gate was locked, but the door was opened. She could see him stabbing Nikki. The neighbour said she started screaming that she was going to call the police, but he did not stop.
“The neighbour said someone had called Brooklyn’s father’s family, who lived a road away. When they arrived, they broke the gate down, and the family members carried them to the car and rushed them to the hospital. When we received the call, we rushed to the hospital but they had already passed on,” she said.
Chetty said they were uncertain about the motive.
“We are not sure why he did this, but from what we were told, Nikki had asked him to move out before leaving for work that day. When I last spoke to her on Sunday, I could sense she was not her usual happy self.
“I told her that if she ever needed anything, she could always come to me. She told me she knew, and that she loved me.
“Nikki was very special to our family. She was the youngest of 33 grandchildren, so she was our baby. She took me as her elder sister, and we even grew up together in the same home with our grandmother in Northdale. After finishing school, she moved out.
“But Nikki was very driven, and she was in her final year of studying for a human resource management diploma. She always did everything possible to give Brooklyn the best life,” she said.
Chetty said Brooklyn, who was a Grade 10 pupil at Heather Secondary School, was also driven.
“She was the same as her mother. They not only had the same loving and bubbly personalities, but they were goal-driven. Brooklyn loved animals, and planned to become a vet.
“Brooklyn was also our child, as she spent a lot of time at my home. When they stayed over, she wouldn’t want to sleep on her own or with anyone else. She would sleep between my husband and I. We used to tell her she is a big girl now, but she did not care. She called us Mummy and Daddy. I can’t imagine that I am never going to see or spend time with them again because of this one person who robbed them of their lives. He must be punished and stay in jail for life,” she said.
Garth Middleton, DA ward 32 councillor in Msunduzi, said he and the community were saddened by the “tragic, senseless killings”.
“I strongly condemn gender-based violence in any shape or form. I implore the lawful authorities to act swiftly, but efficiently with the investigation so that swift, appropriate justice is served on the perpetrator. My deepest condolences to the family. May their beautiful, innocent souls rest in peace.”
In a Facebook post, Heather Secondary School wrote: “Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved her. We remember Brooklyn for her bright spirit and the joy she brought to our school community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are grieving her passing, and we stand together in this difficult time, supporting one another with love and remembrance. May Brooklyn’s memory inspire us to cherish every moment and to support each other with kindness.”
Their funerals were held on Saturday.