30-07-2025
Ex KZN woman killed abroad by man charged with prior assault on her
A South African woman who suffered a spinal injury after a sustained assault by an American man last year has been found dead in a case of murder-suicide reported by Brazilian police.
Leigh-Anne McKenzie, 27, formerly from KwaZulu-Natal, was living in Houston, Texas. She had moved into the apartment of Ian Alexander Bruder Hay, who was ex-military. He was arrested for an assault on her last year. After being granted bail, he left for Brazil. For reasons unknown, she joined him there on July 18. A day later, she was dead.
Brazil's Polícia Civil do Paraná told KPRC 2 News they believe Hay shot and killed McKenzie, before taking his own life.
reported police found a 9mm pistol, ammunition, cocaine rocks, hundreds of syringes used for substance abuse, two magazines with extenders for 30 rounds each, a spiral magazine with a capacity of 50 rounds, six cellphones, two precision scales, a computer, a pocket knife, watches and jewellery inside Hay's apartment.
