Sunday Tribune

Glenwood B&B owner was an angel

KILLING CHARMAINE MAZIBUKO charmaine.mazibuko@inl.co.za

THE family of Jackie Needham, 69, owner of Beechwood Bed and Breakfast (B&B) on Shuter Road, in Glenwood, described her as an angel.

Needham was found dead in her B&B on Thursday morning.

Workers of the B&B were greeted by the news of her killing on Thursday when they clocked in for work at around 7am and found the lifeless body of Needham. Loud screams could be heard by neighbours, who quickly went outside to find out what was happening. Police then rushed to the scene.

For Needham’s family, it has been a trying time. Her brother Oscar Swanlund, said the family was trying to come to terms with her death but they were at ease knowing that while “her body was no more, Needham’s soul lives on”.

“My sister gave so much to so many people. Just yesterday I was driving her car and while at a stop street, a beggar came to my window and said ‘she was an angel, she was my mother and she loved all of us here on the streets’. I was still confused and asked myself ‘who is he talking to?’. I had forgotten I was driving her car, they saw her car. That act alone speaks to the type of person my sister was,” said Swanlund.

After working for a credit company specialising in commercial data, analytics, and insights for businesses as a credit agent, Swanlund said his sister took a leap of faith and turned her house into a B&B.

“Her business has been running for over 20 years and she served many people through that time.”

Swanlund said Needham had compassion for people and wanted to help everyone.

“Everyone was touched by her gifting spirit and the love that she had. I have lost another part of me I won’t be able to replace. I lost my daughter some months ago, I also lost my ex-wife and the three of them all loved each other so much and were the best of friends. I know they are all together in heaven smiling upon all of us. I believe in God and what God allows, God will also give strength to,” said Swanlund.

He said it was clear that his sister was killed by someone she knew because she wouldn’t have opened the gate and door late at night for anyone.

“There was no forced entry and she was found in her pyjamas. I know my sister wouldn’t have let anyone in when she was clearly preparing for bed,” said Swanlund.

He said Needham had an incident before where an intruder entered the B&B and she told them the intruder had been standing by her bedside but didn’t do anything to her. “She said she was lucky she survived that day,” said Swanlund.

He added they would allow the police to do their work and whether justice would be served or not, they believed God would also answer for them, “God says to his people, vengeance is mine. Whoever did this to our dear Jackie, will eventually face their fate one day,” said Swanlund.

The B&B which goes for about R750 per night was still operational and Needham’s daughter, Michelle Janke and Swanlund would be taking over the business.

Janke was in New Zealand and was trying to get back to the country to prepare for the burial. Needham’s memorial and burial would be held when Janke arrives in the country.

Circumstances around Needham’s death were still unclear as police investigations continued. The police were investigating a case of robbery and murder.

FRONT PAGE

en-za

2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytribune.pressreader.com/article/281543704706095

African News Agency