The death of a 17-year-old altar girl from Westridge at the hands of an alleged home invader, has shocked the Mitchell’s Plain community and messages of support for her family have been streaming in.
On Sunday March 15, Carly Isaacs, a parishioner at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, where she is a member of the church’s service guild, was asked to stand in for someone during the second Eucharist service.
She hurried home from church after telling the superintendent of the Sunday school she would need to fetch her robe.
Her mother, Anthea, who was at church with her sisters, did not know she went home to fetch her robe, said a family friend who did not want to be named.
The family friend said Carly’s father, Alistaire, a meter taxi driver, came home from his shift at 6am. He awoke from a nap at about 10am and found Carly slouched in his chair in the TV room at the back of the house. The father called the mother and said Carly was not breathing.
When Carly’s mother arrived home, the couple discovered the front door of the house was locked and the key was missing. The mother had to walk around the house to get to the back of the house.
When her parents started compressions, they realised Carly was bleeding and discovered the wound. She had bled internally, and they did not notice the wound before doing compressions.
Allegedly someone followed Carly into her home, and it is presumed that as she came out of the room with her robe, she was met with the perpetrator inside the house. There had been no signs of burglary, said the family friend.
A neighbour saw Carly coming from across the field, from church.
Carly died at the scene from the stab wounds and the Isaacs couple had to officially identify their daughter’s body on Monday March 16.
Carly was also part of the Westridge Yankees Baseball and Softball Club, and her coach at the club, Candice Bull, on behalf of the executive committee and greater Westridge Yankees Baseball and Softball Club, expressed their condolences to the Isaacs family.
“Carly, our dancing queen, with bright eyes and loud smile, will forever be in our hearts. Fly high our angel, rest in peace Carly Isaacs, #46. You will be missed especially by me, coach Lisa Dyers and coach Jacky Adonis.”
Christ the Redeemer posted on Facebook and sent their condolences to the family.
“May the beautiful memories we all remember of her, bring us comfort during this difficult time. To the family, please accept our deepest sympathies. May your memories of Carly and the love of your family and friends surround you and give you strength and peace in the days ahead.”
Social media posts on Carly’s death have been streaming in.
The family friend told the Plainsman that Carly’s family did not wish to comment at this stage and they wish to be left in peace as they deal with their loss. They’ve asked people to respect their wishes.
Eddie Andrews, councillor for Ward 78 (Westridge and parts of Portland), said it was devastating to hear about Carly’s death.
“You don’t expect to come home to what has happened to Carly. This act is condemned and our prayers and condolences are with the family,” he said.
Abie Isaacs, chairperson of the Mitchell’s Plain Community Police Forum, said they condemned any act of violence in the strongest terms.
“We further extend our condolences to the bereaved family. We are appealing for the community to come forward with information that can assist the police in apprehending the alleged suspect(s).”
Provincial police spokeswoman Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, said Mitchell’s Plain police were investigating a case of murder, and there had been no arrests.
If you have information that will help the police in their investigation, contact Crime Stop at 08600 10 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
The Westridge Yankees Baseball and Softball Club has asked members of the club who wish to make donations to the family for Carly’s funeral costs, to do so through the club’s bank account, which can be found on their Facebook page, or contact Ms Bullat 073 162 7976 for more details.