Latest news with #BackaBuddy
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
How Kim White Towne's family is fighting to bring her home after her murder in the US
Kim White Towne's family is fighting to repatriate her remains after she was allegedly murdered in the US by her husband. 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.
The South African
3 days ago
- General
- The South African
BackaBuddy campaign launched to repatriate body of Cape Town woman murdered in US
A BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign has been launched to assist the family of Kim White Towne, a 32-year-old Capetonian who was murdered by her American husband in Chantilly in the state of Virginia. The campaign aims to raise funds for the repatriation of her remains to South Africa so that she can be laid to rest among her loved ones. Towne's tragic death, reportedly at the hands of her husband during a domestic dispute, has left her family devastated and facing a financially overwhelming situation. The campaign, organised by Lauren Delcarme, is titled 'Bring Kim Home' and, at the time of publishing, has already raised R88 404 of its R108 000 target. 'Kim was a vibrant and cherished member of our family whose warmth, kindness and gentle spirit touched everyone she met,' said Delcarme on the campaign page. 'Her sudden and untimely death has left us in profound grief, and we are faced with the heartbreaking task of bringing her home to South Africa.' Delcarme noted that the costs of repatriation are substantial and include cremation, legal documentation, and international transport, among other formalities. The family is appealing to the public for any contributions to help reunite Kim with her family in Cape Town. Kim White Towne, originally from the Blouberg area, had moved to the US to build a life with her husband, with whom she shared a young son. The BackaBuddy page has been flooded with messages of support and heartfelt condolences from friends, family, and even strangers moved by the family's plight. Those wishing to contribute can visit the official BackaBuddy campaign via and search for 'Bring Kim Home' or donate directly to the listed banking details on the campaign page. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send 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.
The Herald
4 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Embassy offers help to family of Kim White Towne, alleged GBV victim in US
International relations and co-operation minister Ronald Lamola has offered assistance to the family of Capetonian Kim White Towne, who was allegedly murdered by her American husband. 'Our embassy in Washington DC is providing full consular assistance to the family,' he said while sharing his condolences. Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the minister, said: 'The circumstances surrounding the tragic death remain under active investigation by the relevant US authorities. Out of respect for the investigative process, the sensitivity of the matter and the privacy of the grieving family, the government will not provide further detailed commentary at this time.' Towne, 32, from the Blouberg area, had moved to Chantilly, Virginia, with her husband Alexander Towne. They had a child together but their relationship was tumultuous and she had moved home for a while before returning to him, according to posts by family members on social media platforms. She was killed on May 25 when he allegedly strangled her during an argument. A BackaBuddy campaign has been launched to help her family pay for the formalities involved with repatriating her remains. So far donations of R84,484 have been pledged, with a goal of R108,000. Organiser Lauren Delcarme said: 'Kim was a vibrant and cherished member of our family whose warmth, kindness and gentle spirit touched everyone she met. 'Her sudden and untimely death has left us in profound grief, and we are faced with the heartbreaking task of bringing her home to SA, where she can be laid to rest among her loved ones. The process of repatriating a loved one's remains is complex and costly. Expenses possibly include cremation, documentation and international transport. We are reaching out to our community and beyond to ask for support in raising the funds needed to reunite Kim with her family and homeland.' Friends are sharing their memories of her, recalling her as ' an amazing person who was always smiling and bringing joy', and who showed ' warmth, humour and kindness' to everyone she knew. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Embassy offers help to family of Kim White Towne, alleged GBV victim in US
International relations and co-operation minister Ronald Lamola has offered assistance to the family of Capetonian Kim White Towne, who was allegedly murdered by her American husband. 'Our embassy in Washington DC is providing full consular assistance to the family,' he said while sharing his condolences. Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the minister, said: 'The circumstances surrounding the tragic death remain under active investigation by the relevant US authorities. Out of respect for the investigative process, the sensitivity of the matter and the privacy of the grieving family, the government will not provide further detailed commentary at this time.' Towne, 32, from the Blouberg area, had moved to Chantilly, Virginia, with her husband Alexander Towne. They had a child together but their relationship was tumultuous and she had moved home for a while before returning to him, according to posts by family members on social media platforms. She was killed on May 25 when he allegedly strangled her during an argument. A BackaBuddy campaign has been launched to help her family pay for the formalities involved with repatriating her remains. So far donations of R84,484 have been pledged, with a goal of R108,000. Organiser Lauren Delcarme said: 'Kim was a vibrant and cherished member of our family whose warmth, kindness and gentle spirit touched everyone she met. 'Her sudden and untimely death has left us in profound grief, and we are faced with the heartbreaking task of bringing her home to SA, where she can be laid to rest among her loved ones. The process of repatriating a loved one's remains is complex and costly. Expenses possibly include cremation, documentation and international transport. We are reaching out to our community and beyond to ask for support in raising the funds needed to reunite Kim with her family and homeland.' Friends are sharing their memories of her, recalling her as 'an amazing person who was always smiling and bringing joy', and who showed 'warmth, humour and kindness' to everyone she knew.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Brakpan-ma deel roerende verhaal van baba se stryd ná geboorte op 28 weke
For Brakpan parents Amber Lessing and Martin Swanepoel, March 19 marked the start of a difficult and expensive journey with the birth of their baby. Amber's amniotic fluid suddenly dried up, and after close monitoring, steroids and magnesium to speed along the baby's development and a difficult decision to do an emergency C-Section, baby Claire was born at just 28 weeks. Initially, the parents went for a 4D scan in Benoni, where they learnt there wasn't enough fluid to do the scan. An appointment with Amber's gynaecologist scheduled for March 19 was moved to March 7, and he advised the parents to prepare for a C-section at 30 weeks. By the time of this appointment, three days after the 4D scan appointment, there was even less amniotic fluid than before. 'My heart was shattered. I walked out crying, sat in my car and tried to come to terms with what was happening,' explained Amber. By the next day, Amber couldn't feel much movement from the baby. 'I tried everything to get some movement from her. I ate sweets, drank Coke and moved, but I felt minimal. On March 9, I woke up and waited for movement, but there was nothing,' she said. The pair waited until noon before heading to Life Dalview Hospital for a Doppler scan. Baby Claire's heart was beating strongly, but the doctor decided to admit Amber. This was when they administered the steroid and magnesium shots. 'We then monitored movements along with heartbeat every six hours. On March 16, the doctor did another sonar and decided it would be best to do the C-section at 28 weeks,' Amber said. 'She wasn't growing, and there was no fluid left. It was terrifying, lying in the hospital for two weeks and having to pay such close attention to her movements. It was so exhausting and emotionally draining. ALSO CHECK: Brakpan Primary Kidz 4 Compassion donates food to Eventide and RATA 'Martin has been my rock and support in this, and I don't know what we would have done without him. Our baby girl, Claire, has been fighting for her life since birth.' At just three weeks old, Claire's condition turned critical, and she was resuscitated twice after haemorrhaging in her lungs. Ten days later, she underwent PDA (Patent ductus arteriosus) ligation surgery to close a blood vessel and correct the heart condition at the Netcare Sunninghill Hospital in Sandton, the only hospital able to do it in time. This hospital is not in her parents' medical aid network. Claire is still in the NICU at Life Dalview, where her left lung keeps collapsing, and she has a recurring, dangerous intestinal disease commonly seen in premature babies. Now, she has to see a pediatric pulmonologist at another hospital, also out of the network. The couple has started a BackaBuddy campaign titled Baby Claire Swanepoel to raise the steep funds to pay for it. The link is At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
