Thursday, 28 March, 2024
HomeObituaryForensic pathologist Prof Johan Dempers dies of COVID-19

Forensic pathologist Prof Johan Dempers dies of COVID-19

The man who played an essential role in providing evidence to convict axe murderer, Henri van Breda, and child killer, Mortimer Saunders, has died following a battle with COVID-19, reports News24. Professor Johan Dempers succumbed to the virus on Tuesday 26 January after being diagnosed on 21 December. The father of two was 51 years old.

The report says an animated and enthralling witness in high-profile cases, the head of the division of forensic medicine in the pathology department at Stellenbosch University's faculty of medicine and health sciences was instrumental in the conviction of a number of heinous criminals. Western Cape senior advocate, Anthony Stephens SC, last consulted with Dempers during the preliminary stages of the De Zalze murders, for which Van Breda was handed three life sentences for the murders of his parents and brother, 15 years for the attempted murder of his sister and one year for obstructing the course of justice.

"One of the main planks of the prosecution's case was that the injuries the accused had suffered were self-inflicted and it fell to me to consult with Professor Dempers to test the cogency of this evidence," he recalled. "Professor Dempers said during that consultation that it was a 'textbook' case of self-inflicted injuries and his explanations given to me were completely compelling. In my mind, it removed any possible doubt that the accused had, in fact, committed the murders and attempted murder on his family."

Advocate Susan Galloway led the prosecution, said: "I had the privilege of knowing Professor Dempers – initially only as a name on post-mortem reports and a go-to person when an expert opinion is required," she said. During the (Van Breda) trial, I got to know him personally. And… it was a privilege. His patient manner and soft-spoken tone hid a person of integrity and compassion. Highly intelligent and competent in his field, he was willing to go the extra mile to provide the best possible information. A humble man who passed before his time. He will be missed.”

Dempers also played a leading role in the trial of Mortimer Saunders, who was convicted of the premeditated murder of Courtney Pieters, 3.

State advocate Esmeralda Cecil said that, during recess, Dempers had discussed his findings with his research panel at Tygerberg Hospital. "With great dedication, he continued his research on decomposition and whether injuries were inflicted before or after death. As a result of his research and determination, a conviction was secured. This was an excellent example of his love and devotion for his work," she said.

News24 reports that an integral part in the Western Cape government's Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) team, he embodied the ideal example as a mentor and teacher. FPS director Vonita Thompson said: “Professor Dempers' passing has left a huge void, both from an academic and service delivery perspective. Colleagues are and will be struggling to come to terms with his untimely passing. He was part of the Forensic Pathology Service executive team and no meeting will be the same again.”

Professor Lorna Martin, the head of the department of forensic medicine and toxicology at the University of Cape Town, said Dempers would be remembered as a "fierce forensic pathologist, discipline specific, honest and loyal to our profession, with the utmost integrity, an enthusiastic teacher and a consummate professional".

Professor Andrew Whitelaw, the head of the pathology department at the faculty of medicine and health sciences at Stellenbosch University, said while Dempers was probably best known for his active involvement in a number of medico-legal cases, they would remember him as a committed teacher to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as a researcher, particularly in the field of death in infancy.

 

[link url="https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/respected-pathologist-who-helped-put-away-henri-van-breda-mortimer-saunders-succumbs-to-covid-19-20210127"]Full News24 report (Open access)[/link]

MedicalBrief — our free weekly e-newsletter

We'd appreciate as much information as possible, however only an email address is required.