Sotheby boss’s wife’s death a suicide - pathologist

An independent pathologist concluded that Susan Rohde’s death was consistent with suicide, says a report handed into court.

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Cape Town - A marriage counsellor on two occasions warned that the wife of property mogul Jason Rohde was a suicide risk.

This emerged in the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court on Thursday when he made his first appearance in connection with her murder.

The CEO of Sotheby's International Realty South Africa has been charged with the murder of his wife, Susan Rohde, after she was found dead at Spier Wine Estate last month.

The couple were at the wine estate at a work conference when her body was found.

The State alleges that she was killed by manual strangulation.

However, Rohde has hired a private investigation team which includes an independent pathologist who concluded that her death was consistent with suicide.

The pathologist's report was handed to the court and states that an upper bone in Rohde's wife's throat would have been fractured if she was strangled. This, however, was not the case.

 

#JasonRohde arriving at the Stellenbosch Magistrates Court pic.twitter.com/oMelOx0TIN

— Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) August 25, 2016

 

A blood splatter report is being compiled as part of the investigation.

The blood splatter report coupled with DNA evidence, as well as evidence gathered from Susan's cellphone, that of her husband and the Rohde family's laptop all form part of the investigation, the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court heard.

Rohde wants the court to release him on bail on Thursday but the State is requesting a week-long postponement.

 

He says he has co-operated with the police since his wife's death and has been to Cape Town three times to assist.

He took issue with the fact that there was no warrant of arrest when seven police officials arrived at his Bryanston home on Tuesday.

All they had was a letter from Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Bonnie Currie-Gamwo which indicated that the State had a prima facie case against him.

The case continues.

Cape Argus