Jayden-Lee Meek's death and murder-accused mom: Everything we know
What exactly happened to the 11-year-old Johannesburg boy? And what does his mother, Tiffany, have to do with the case?
On 13 May, two days after Mother's Day, Jayden-Lee Meek was reported missing by his mother, Tiffany Nicole Meek, from their flat in the Swazi's Place apartment complex in Fleurhof, Johannesburg.
According to Tiffany, her 11-year-old son did not return home from school, although police claim he had been dropped off at home by his school transport.
Tiffany filed a missing person's report and organised a small search party with a few members of her complex. According to neighbours, not all members of the complex were alerted to Jayden-Lee Meek's disappearance.
Tiffany also allegedly instructed local police services not to search her flat for the missing boy.
The next morning, his body was found on the steps of the apartment complex. Jayden-Lee suffered a blunt force head injury and was declared deceased.
According to an investigating officer, his body was found warm and clean, suggesting his death occurred shortly before he was found. Forensic evidence revealed that Jayden-Lee's blood was found on his bed and his school clothes. It also revealed that the boy had sustained multiple bruises, with visible abrasions on his body.
The investigator alleges that Tiffany tried to conceal evidence from authorities, like cleaning blood stains in her home with detergents.
On Monday, 4 July, Jayden-Lee Meek's mother, Tiffany, appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice, and crimen injuria.
According to a charge sheet, Jayden-Lee Meek was allegedly killed by his mother, Tiffany, who struck him on the head with an unknown object, which resulted in a blunt force head injury.
The charge sheet added that Tiffany knowingly discouraged police from searching her flat.
Shortly after Jayden-Lee Meek's disappearance, why did his mother, Tiffany, choose to spend the night at her mother's house and not her own apartment?
Why did she discourage police from searching her flat?
Why did she not alert the entire complex to Jayden-Lee's disappearance?
Questionable comments Tiffany made in an interview with Newzroom Afrika have also resurfaced.
'My child wanted to go viral. Unfortunately, this is the way it had to happen….
'His biggest thing was he was going to be a star, and he will remain a star in my life'.
Another 'red flag' moment commented on by social media users was Tiffany's emotional appearance in court as compared to her calm demeanour after her son was discovered dead.
Jayden-Lee Meek also complained to his peers at Royal College about being 'starved', 'abused' and 'neglected'.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
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