DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH — CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT
eThekwini Health District Office
Nicholus "Khanyisani" Khumalo, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coordinator
Date: 9 July 2025 (Updated report; initial report dated 1 July 2025)

SUBJECT: Investigation Report on Allegations Surrounding the Death in Tetelestai Recovery Centre

1. INTRODUCTION
This report outlines findings from an official investigation conducted at the Tetelestai Recovery Centre concerning the recent death of Mr Luke Edwards – aged 32 years, an inpatient at the facility. Speculations reported in local media have suggested potential negligence or direct involvement by the facility personnel or by an individual closer/associated to TRC in the death of Mr Luke Edwards. This investigation was aimed at establishing facts, clarifying timelines & circumstances surrounding the incident.

2. BACKGROUND
• Name of Deceased: Mr Luke Edwards
• Age: 32 years
• Date of Admission: 31 March 2025
• Date Reported Missing: 8 April 2025 (23:06) — within the facility on their WhatsApp group
• Date Reported Missing to Family: 9 April 2025 approximately 7am by TRC representative
• Date Confirmed Deceased: 9 April 2025 (approximately 5:20am)
• Where found: Lying dead in pool of blood, wounded, assaulted, shirtless, head smashed
• Date Identification Confirmed: 9 April 2025 – around 9am
• Location of Death: Neighboring Facility – Retirement Home (Mooi Hawens), outside and nearby Tetelestai Premises

Luke Edwards was admitted to Tetelestai Recovery Centre on 31 March 2025 for rehabilitation. In-facility protocols for admission and treatment procedures were reportedly followed by the facility personnel.

3. INCIDENT TIMELINE AND EVIDENCE

3.1 Missing Person Alert
On 8 April 2025 at 23:06, a message in the facility's internal WhatsApp group indicated that Mr Luke Edwards was missing from his room. An internal search was conducted on the premises but yielded no results.

3.2 Police Involvement and Identification
On 9 April 2025 at approximately 07:00, the facility informed the family about the disappearance. At about 09am, a police van arrived with a photograph of a deceased individual found at a nearby retirement facility. Facility staff identified the individual as Mr Luke Edwards. Retirement home personnel stated they have CCTV cameras in the facility.

4. VIDEO AND WITNESS EVIDENCE

4.1 Security Footage
A video presented during the facility visit shows Mr Edwards alive at approximately 01:30 on 9 April 2025. He is visibly clothed, coherent, and not exhibiting any signs of distress or injury. He is seen speaking with a security guard and drinking water, which supports the assertion that he was alive and in a seemingly stable condition at that time — approximately 2h30 after being reported missing from TRC.

4.2 Witness Testimony — Security Personnel
The security guard stated Luke approached their Main Gate at around 01:30, requesting water, which was provided. The security guard did not observe any visible wounds, blood, agitation, or erratic behavior. The security guard can serve as a key witness to confirm Mr Luke Edwards' condition at that time.

5. DISCOVERY OF THE BODY
Mr Luke Edwards' body was reportedly discovered around 05:00am on 9 April 2025. His body was found lying in a pool of blood, shirtless, and showing signs of physical assault. Notable injuries included head trauma and stab wounds with extensive bleeding. The condition in which he was found was in stark contrast to his earlier appearance at 01:30am.

6. PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS
• Mr Luke Edwards appeared alive, outside of TRC premises & no visibly injured as of 01:30 on 9 April 2025, based on both CCTV footage and eyewitness account (Security Guard on duty).
• He was discovered dead with visible injuries approximately four hours after the security guard saw him.
• The location where his body was found was NOT within the Tetelestai Recovery Centre premises, but rather at the facilities of a nearby retirement home (Mooi Hawens) adjacent to Tetelestai Recovery Centre.
• There is NO current evidence directly implicating Tetelestai staff in Mr Luke Edwards' death.
• The video evidence, timeline, and security guard's testimony may assist law enforcement in identifying suspects.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS
• SAPS should prioritize obtaining external CCTV footage from the retirement home showing the surrounding area to determine Mr Luke Edwards' movements between 1am and 5am.
• Security guard who interacted with the deceased should be formally interviewed and considered a witness.
• Finding his body inside the neighboring vicinity can indirectly mean he never went far from that area.

10. IN CONCLUSION
Based on findings during the facility investigation: There is no current evidence directly implicating Tetelestai staff in Mr Luke Edwards' death. Luke was last seen alive at Mooi Hawens on 9 April 2025. His body was found on Mooi Hawens property.

Warm regards,
Nicholus Khumalo
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coordinator
eThekwini Health District Office