Cape Town - August 30 2024, marked the fifth anniversary of the horrific murders of university student, Jesse Hess, 18 and her grandfather, Chris Lategan, 85, as her father shares that he has suffered two heart attacks since their deaths adding that his heart was still broken.
Premier Alan Winde asked the public not to forget victims like Jesse when he and stakeholders in safety signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday to ensure that police are adequately resourced and that everyone works together for a safer province.
“So many others in our region and country die in vain. Today we remember her (Jesse Hess) in the signing of this agreement. Together we are going to make sure that we fight crime, that we build a safer society, that we must not forget those who have fallen; it is in their names and in their honour that we do this today,” he said.
Lance said the family had planned a small memorial at their home where they lit candles to commemorate Jesse and her grandfather. He added that their lives were never the same since Jesse was taken away.
“My baby daughter is not taking it well today (Friday). She's 14 now and I could not help crying this morning (Friday) as they spoke about Jesse on the radio while we were on the way to her school. I asked her if we must place flowers on Jesse's grave tomorrow (Saturday) and she said ‘daddy I can't'. It would be too hard for her,” he said.
Since Jesse's passing, Lance said he had suffered two heart attacks, lost his courier business and has had to move to a new home which is close in proximity to where the murder took place.
“The saddest part about today is that we moved closer to the flat where she stayed and we have to drive past there,” he said.
“We moved a year ago. We didn't want to move so close, (but) it was the only place available. I lost my courier business because of all of this. And
at the end of last year, I had two heart attacks. I said to my wife I think my heart is still broken.
“Jesse would have been 24 and her dream was to do missionary work for one or two years and would have completed her studies in theology last year. She wanted to get married at 24, because she always said she didn't want to be too old for her children one day.”
Lance revealed that they, as a family, had gone for counselling sessions and were encouraged to speak about what had happened. He said he was keen to start an initiative where men could support one another one day.
David van Boven was convicted and sentenced to two life terms for the murder of Jesse and her grandfather.
He was also convicted and sentenced for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, sexual assault and fraud.
Tasliem Ambrose, a second accused, who entered into a plea agreement with the State, was acquitted of the murders, sexual assault, fraud and theft and was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment on two counts of robbery.
Van Boven, who was Jesse's second cousin, was convicted for another crime, that of the attack of two Hanover Park sisters in November 2019. He was given another life term.