Latest news with #AlexanderTowne
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
South African government confirms Cape Town woman's murder in US
The government has confirmed with 'deep sadness' the tragic passing of a South African citizen in West Virginia, United States. 'Our embassy in Washington D.C. is providing full consular assistance to the family,' a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Co-operation said yesterday. According to the department, the circumstances surrounding the woman's death remain under active investigation by the relevant US authorities. 'Out of respect for the ongoing investigative process, the sensitivity of the matter, and the privacy of the grieving family, the South African government will not be providing further detailed commentary at this time,' the department added. According to reports, Kim White Towne (32), a woman originally from Cape Town, was killed, allegedly by her American husband Alexander Towne (32), after he strangled her during a domestic dispute last month. Fox5 reports court documents revealed that Fairfax County police detectives said Alexander made a distress call to 911, tearfully admitting he had choked his wife during an argument. He allegedly told the dispatcher, 'I don't think she's with us any longer.' Upon arrival, police discovered Kim deceased inside the home. Their three-year-old son, who was also present, was unharmed. Towne was taken into custody and faces a charge of second-degree murder. He is currently being held without bail. The Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Ronald Lamola, has extended his condolences to the bereaved family during this difficult time. –
The South African
7 days ago
- The South African
Cape Town teacher killed by husband in United States
A tragic domestic violence incident has rocked both South Africa and the United States, after Kim White Towne, originally from Parklands in Cape Town, was found dead in her home in Chantilly in Virginia. She was 32. She was allegedly assaulted and killed by her husband, Alexander Towne, who has since been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) confirmed that the suspect himself called law enforcement to report the assault. 'Officers located Kim White, 32, suffering from trauma to the upper body. She was declared deceased at the scene,' said the FCPD in an official statement. Investigators believe White Towne was strangled to death, with the couple's two-year-old son reportedly present in the home at the time of the incident. The child is now in the care of family members, and victim specialists have been assigned to support the grieving relatives. Alexander Towne, 32, remained at the scene until authorities arrived. He is currently in custody without bail. Kim White Towne had lived abroad for several years, spending time teaching in San Diego and Dubai, where she met her husband before relocating to Virginia. While her life appeared outwardly glamorous, her family describes a darker reality of isolation and abuse. Her brother, Jason White, revealed a disturbing pattern of emotional and physical abuse that reportedly predated the couple's marriage. 'My mother would be on the phone with her for hours, concerned about her safety. She would be crying on the phone, locked in her room while my mother could hear him banging on her door,' said Jason. He dismissed claims that Towne's behaviour could be attributed to PTSD or trauma from military service, stating that Towne had not experienced combat-related trauma. 'I think violence and aggression is his true nature,' he added. The news of Kim Towne's death has reverberated across social media, with friends, community members, and South Africans around the world expressing grief and outrage. 'Kim's passing has left a deep ache in our community. She was one of us. A Saffa sister. A daughter of South Africa,' one tribute read. 'Her story is a chilling reminder that behind closed doors, so many are suffering in silence.' As the investigation continues, the FCPD Major Crimes Bureau is conducting interviews and processing evidence to determine the full circumstances behind the killing. Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- IOL News
Tragic murder of South African teacher Kim Towne by her husband in the US
Alexander Towne, arrested in the US for the murder of his South African wife, Kim Towne Image: Facebook Kim Towne and Alexander Towne met in Dubai, where she worked as a teacher and he served in the military. Their relationship began as a whirlwind romance. However, Kim's brother, Jason White of Parklands in Cape Town, noted that there were early signs that all was not as it seemed. Then on May 25, a chilling call was made to US emergency services, 911. 'I don't think she's with us any longer.' With those haunting words, 32-year-old Alexander Towne requested police assistance at his home in Chantilly, West Virginia. Inside, authorities found the lifeless body of his wife, Kim. She had been strangled, reportedly while their toddler son was in another room. Kim, also 32 and originally from Parklands, Cape Town, had visible upper body trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. Kim Towne, from Parklands, Cape Town, was allegedly strangled to death by her US husband, Alexander Towne Image: Facebook Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Kim was in love,' her brother Jason White said. '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 U.S. to secure Kim's visa, which would allow her to move and join him there. 'When he was in Cape Town, he seemed calm, almost shy,' Jason recalled. 'He was supportive during her pregnancy and kind to our whole family. But it was all a facade. Behind closed doors, he was abusive to my sister. We knew it, but she loved him. We tried to see it from her perspective.' The situation was all the more painful because of the siblings' past. 'Our own father was abusive. Kim knew the signs. We begged our mom to leave our dad and it took years. It was awful,' Jason said. 'So for this to happen to Kim is devastating.' Eventually, Kim made the decision to leave Alex. But she wanted to try one last time, for the sake of her child. 'She wasn't back long before the fights started again,' Jason said. 'She would call us in tears, locked in the bathroom or her bedroom while he shouted and banged on the doors. We told her, 'Come home, Kim.'Yet loved him.' The couple had only recently relocated to their rental home in Chantilly from California, and she went to live with her aunt. She told her mother she couldn't take the abuse anymore and was planning to divorce Alex. 'She said something wasn't right with him. She never should have gone back,' Jason said. 'She was trying to be strong, for her child, for her family.' Last weekend, Alexander, a U.S. citizen and military veteran, told police that an argument had escalated and he had fatally choked his wife, according to reports. He was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder. He is currently being held without bail. Neighbours were shocked by the news. Waheed Muhammad, who lives nearby, told a local media outlet, 'I saw all the police cars and kept wondering what had happened. We didn't know until someone posted the news online. It's tragic.' Another neighbour, Narin Van, added, 'He never really said what he did for work, but he seemed like a nice guy and his wife too.' Muhammad said he never heard any signs of trouble. 'I thought they were a happy couple.' The couple had only recently moved into the rental home in Chantilly from California. Court documents revealed that Alexander worked as an analyst with the Defense Health Agency in Falls Church in West Virginia and received monthly disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs. His next court appearance is scheduled for July. For those who knew Kim, the loss is incomprehensible. 'Kim and I were incredibly close,' said Jason. 'We looked alike. People thought we were twins. Born just 11 months apart, we shared the same friends. She was magnetic. Everyone wanted to be around her. I was shy, but she included me in everything. She always had my back.' Jason said he's been deeply moved by the flood of messages and tributes on social media. 'It's overwhelming, but it shows the kind of person she was. It's been a few days since we got the news, and now I'm just angry. The more we learn about what happened, the harder it is. Kim was the baby of the family... and now I'm the baby. I can't believe I'll never see her again.' An autopsy is currently being conducted on Kim to determine the full extent of her injuries and the precise cause of her death. Her body will only be released to the family once the examination is complete. After that, arrangements will be made to repatriate her to Cape Town, where she will be laid to rest.
IOL News
29-05-2025
- IOL News
Cape Town woman killed in the US, husband arrested
Tragic death of South African woman in Virginia: Husband charged with murder. A Cape Town woman has been killed allegedly by her husband in the United States of America. Kim White was strangled to death following a domestic dispute. Her husband, Alexander Towne, has been charged with second-degree murder. In a statement, Fairfax County Police said Towne was taken into custody without bail following the death of Kim White, originally from Cape Town, South Africa. "On May 24 at 7:48 pm, officers responded to a domestic incident inside a residence of Bromall Court in Chantilly. "The suspect reported that he had assaulted and killed his wife." Police said the victim was found suffering trauma to her upper body and was declared deceased at the scene.
The Herald
29-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Capetonian murdered in US, husband arrested
US police have arrested a man who confessed to killing his wife during a 'domestic-related fatal assault' at the weekend. She was named as Kim White Towne, 32, formerly from Cape Town, who had moved to Chantilly, Virginia, with her husband Alexander Towne. 'On May 24 at 7.48pm, officers responded to a domestic incident inside a residence in the 16,000 block of Bromall Court in Chantilly. The suspect reported he had assaulted and killed his wife. [She had] trauma to the upper body and was declared deceased at the scene,' Fairfax County police said.
