Death of matric boy shocks
2007-11-08
THE community of Paarl East is still staggering after the shock suicide of a promising matriculant of Klein Nederburg Secondary School.
The body of Byron Barends (17) was found hanging from a rope in the garage of his family home in Grebe Street on Wednesday evening.
Byron’s shocked mother Matty this week spoke out about Byron for the first time since the tragedy took place.
“Byron was so much looking forward to beginning his life as an adult next year.
“He enjoyed school and worked hard. He wanted to study information technology next year and was applying to Portnet in Saldanha for a post were he would work and be trained in computers.”
The principal of the school, Douglas Abels, said that not only are the matriculants of his school reeling with shock, but all the students and teachers have been affected.
“It is a huge setback for our matrics who received this devastating news in the middle of their crucial final exams.
“Byron was our school’s chess captain and a popular boy. Our prayers go to his family during this difficult time.”
Byron’s death has left many unanswered questions.
He and his grandmother were alone at home on Wednesday evening. According to family friends he had been preparing most of the day for his final science paper.
Shortly before 19:00 he told his grandmother that he was going to have a shower to relax. That was the last time he was seen alive.
No suicide note was found on the scene.
Byron leaves behind his mother, father Gideon and sister Taila (11).
The funeral takes place on Saturday at 08:30 from the house at 52 Grebe Street and thereafter at the Huguenot VGK Church.
More
News
|
