Former Plettenberg Bay detective found dead as suspect appears in court

The discovery of the body of a former police detective near a riverside park in Plettenberg Bay has left the seaside town reeling, as details emerge of a case already described as tragic and disturbing.

Nicky van Heerden, a former detective attached to the Plettenberg Bay police station, was found dead near a riverside park along the Keurbooms River in the early hours of Monday.

Her brother-in-law, Hein Bruwer, confirmed that the body discovered was Van Heerden’s.

Visiting friends, rumours of a new relationship

Van Heerden had been visiting friends in the area at the time of her death. According to the discussion around the case, there were rumours she had spoken about meeting ‘a new man’ and the possibility of a new romance.

“She’d been visiting a friend in Plett, and there were these rumours about meeting a new man and a new romance,” said Barbara Friedman of Primedia Plus.

The case has been widely reported, with coverage appearing in several local and national publications.

Artist arrested, appears in court

A man identified as Bevan van Druten, an artist living in the area, has been arrested in connection with the case and has appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates’ Court. Van Druten is 53 years old. Van Heerden was 54.

The accused has not been found guilty.

“He is only being charged. He’s appearing in court. He has not been found guilty – let me be very clear,” cautioned Friedman.

A voice note and other women come forward

Attention has also turned to a voice note Van Heerden allegedly sent shortly before her death. The message, reportedly about 11 minutes long, is said to describe erratic and troubling behaviour by the man she was with at the time.

“She speaks quite strangely about how crazy he was being,” said Friedman, adding that he may have been present while the message was recorded.

Since the arrest, multiple women have reportedly come forward to share past encounters with the accused, describing aggressive behaviour. One woman said she encountered him at a festival and that he persisted in making advances after she refused.

Shock in a close-knit community

Plettenberg Bay is known for its tight-knit, bohemian coastal community, something that has deepened the sense of shock.

“It’s so close-knit, like they know everyone,” said Friedman. “How would she not have known his reputation? We can’t judge. We don’t know.”

As investigations continue and court proceedings unfold, many details surrounding Van Heerden’s death remain unclear. What is certain, however, is the impact the case has had on the community.

“A tragic story,” Friedman concluded, adding that it is likely to become ‘one of those South African crime stories, spoken about for a long time’.”

For more information, listen to Friedman using the audio player below: