Warning: Distressing content
A 21-year-old girl has lost her life after a gang of men attacked her in South Africa.
Hannah Cornelius was sitting in her car with her friend, Cheslin Marsh, in the early hours of Friday morning when they were hijacked by four men.
Marsh was forced into the boot of the car while Hannah was put in the back seat. The attackers then drove them 18km before pulling over and beating them with bricks.
It was there that Marsh managed to escape over a wall and run to a neighbour’s house for help. The man who opened the door told local news that Marsh was “barefoot and covered in blood.”
Marsh reportedly told the neighbour, “If I hadn’t jumped over the wall, I would have been dead.”
Hannah was then driven to another location where she was raped, stabbed and strangled, according to reports. Her body was found at around 8:30am the following morning.
Friends of the bright and beautiful student have shared their heartbreak online, with her best friend, Jacqueline Catterson, writing:
“When you hear the name Hannah Cornelius I want you to smile, even if it’s through your tears. Han was always smiling.”
“Don’t be bitter. Don’t be angry. It’s not going to bring her back or honour her memory because Hannah was so much more than just a tragic story.”
“Han, it was such a privilege to have you as a best friend. I’ll love you forever. Can’t wait for the day when I get to hug you again in heaven.”
Four men have been taken into custody for the crime and are appearing in court over the next few days.
