How Kim White Towne's family is fighting to bring her home after her murder in the US
They have launched a BackaBuddy campaign to cover the costs, with Lauren Delcarme writing on behalf of the family: 'The process of repatriating a loved one's remains is both complex and costly. Expenses possibly include cremation, documentation, and international transport. The estimated cost to bring Kim home ranges from $4 000 to $6 000.'
Towne, 32, died on 25 May, with her husband Alexander Towne simply telling emergency services in a 911 that he doesn't think 'she's with us any longer.'
Inside their home in West Virginia, authorities found the lifeless body of his wife, Kim. She had been strangled, while their toddler son was in another room.
Kim, originally from Parklands, had visible upper body trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Delcarme wrote further as part of the campaign to repatriate her body: "We are reaching out to our community and beyond to ask for your support in raising the funds needed to reunite Kim with her family and homeland. Your generous contribution will go directly toward covering the costs of her repatriation and memorial in South Africa."
At the time of writing, they have raised R102 134, about 95% of their R108 000 goal.
Of the incident, Kim's brother Jason White says: 'Kim was in love. Then she found out she was pregnant. In Dubai, having a child outside of marriage is a big issue, so they got married in December 2021.'
After the wedding, the couple relocated to South Africa, first settling in Milnerton before moving to Gordon's Bay. When their baby turned three-months old, Alex returned to the US to secure Kim's visa, which would allow her to move and join him there.
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