WINDHOEK – The deceased in the murder trial of Richard Hange was so severely beaten that her brain was swollen and bleeding and she had various abrasions all over her body. This was said yesterday by Dr Yuri Vasin the state pathologist when he explained the post-mortem report that was compiled by an ex-colleague of his on the remains of Lisa Kandovazu, who was 21 years old at the time of her death.
According to Vasin the post-mortem report described various lacerations around the neck of Kandovazu, comparable to extreme pressure having been exerted on the area. He also said that the lacerations resembled fingernail marks.
He further said that his colleague found open wounds on the head of the deceased caused by blunt trauma.
These wounds could have been inflicted by using severe force, he added. Vasin also said that two incisive wounds were found on the neck of the deceased which was caused by a sharp object similar to a knife.
One of the stab wounds severed the main artery delivering blood to the brain, causing extensive bleeding, Vasin explained.
As to what caused the death of the deceased, Vasin ventured that it could have been the penetrating stab wound combined with the blunt force trauma to the head.
He further explained that with such wounds the deceased could not have lived for more than a few seconds, but that the amount of blood found on the deceased indicated that she was still alive when the stab wounds were inflicted.
The State claims that Hange killed his live-in girlfriend, Lisa Kandovazu, on September 27, 2011 at her residence in the illegal settlement of Havana in Wanaheda, Windhoek. It is alleged that Hange hit the deceased with unknown blunt object(s) on her head, tried to strangle her and/or stabbed her at least twice with a knife.
Kandovazu died on the scene due to blood loss caused by one of the stab wounds while the injuries caused by the blunt force also contributed to the deceased’s demise, it is alleged.
Hange denies that he killed the deceased and claims that she died because of self-inflicted wounds when she allegedly attacked him with a knife.
Hange remains in custody and State Advocate Jack Eixab represents the State while Hange is represented by Hipura Ujaha on instructions from legal aid.