Die 17-jarige beskuldigde, Ali Al-Abadi, in die rugbylegende Pedrie Wannenburg se moordsaak sal vandeesweek in die hof in Houston verskyn. Dit terwyl Yvette, Pedrie se vrou, ’n hartroerende boodskap op Facebook geskryf het aan Pedrie oor sy gesin se ervaring die afgelope tyd – ’n jaar na sy tragiese motorongeluk.
Die Harris County-polisie van Houston, Texas, het aan AfriNUUS bevestig dat Ali Al-Abadi (17) Woensdag 3 Mei in die hof in Houston in Texas in die VSA sal verskyn in verband met die dood van die rugbylegende Pedrie Wannenburg (41) wat net meer as ’n jaar gelede oorlede is.
Al-Abadi staan tereg op een aanklag van moord en drie aanklagte van ernstige aanranding met ernstige liggaamlike besering.
Pedrie is op 22 April 2022 in ’n motorongeluk dood toe ’n jeugdige (wat toe 16 jaar oud was) wat vir die polisie weggejaag het, teen 160 km/h in die Wannenburg-gesin se motor vasgejaag het. Die Wannenburgs se motor het daarna in ’n ander voertuig gebots.
Al-Abadi het ná die ongeluk van die toneel gevlug.
Pedrie is by die hospitaal dood verklaar en sy jong seun, Francois, is ernstig beseer gelaat.
Ten tyde van die voorval was sy vrou, Evette, en dogter, Isabelle, ook in die voertuig. Hulle het ligte beserings opgedoen.
“Jy het soveel lewens aangeraak en ek besef dit elke dag meer,” skryf Evette.
“Dankie dat jy 12 jaar van jou lewe vir my gegee het. Ons herdenking sonder jou was moeilik, maar jou verjaarsdag was verreweg die moeilikste tweede na vandag [365 dae nadat Pedrie dood is]. Ek hoop jy sien ons en weet ek probeer die beste wat ek moontlik kan. Jy is nie hier nie maar jy is nog steeds baie by ons elke dag. Ons sal jou liefhê so lank as wat ons kan, totdat ons jou glimlag weer sien,” voeg Evette by.
Evette het op 23 April ’n hartroerende boodskap op Facebook geskryf aan Pedrie oor die afgelope jaar sonder hom:
Dear Pedrie,
It’s been 365 days since the last time I looked in your blue eyes. Almost to the hour. Life on earth has been hard and empty without you. I was hoping God could maybe let you read this.
We have survived our first year. Not without challenges but I have chosen to or trying to focus on what we have to be grateful for. Today was the hardest of them all but we did our best to celebrate with you. So many lessons learned this year. My dad is probably telling you it builds character. Not sure what I’ve built but it must be something.
Our kiddos are getting so big. We are all wearing the same shoe size now. They miss their dad dearly and I’m trying my best to keep their lives as normal and stable as I possibly can, but I can’t be you. You left the biggest shoes to fill. Isabelle has become the brightest young lady. She made honor choir again this year and still loves singing. She’s making straight A’s, did a presentation on you. Made everyone cry and was also selected to join an national youth leadership program over summer. I can just see your tears flowing when I opened that letter.
She talks about you with so much pride. Can you believe she will be in Middle School soon. I hate that she missed her daddy daughter dance and so many more to come.
I finally took her to Disney like we promised and I would have loved to send you on all the crazy rides with Francois instead. Francois misses you. Especially next to the baseball field. He has had a hard time giving up football or never being able to follow your footsteps in Rugby, but I remind myself that he is alive and that’s all that matters. He’s finding new things and trying his best to navigate these waters without a dad. It’s hard on him. I wish he had you to guide him but I will keep trying.
Your brother and sister and Carine talk about you all the time. They miss their big brother. Your mom misses your FaceTime every morning taking the kids to school. How I loved packing their lunches with you in the mornings and then you’ll let me get back in bed a little longer while you tell her about our life here. She is so strong but losing a child is probably the hardest thing on earth.
Your dad is doing well and keeping everyone together. He is building the new house and it’s almost done.
You probably love the view.
I can’t wait to see them soon. We have all become so close. Odette needs you more than ever now and her kiddos are growing up fast. HW still calls everyone Bella and Imke is running and keeping everyone on their toes. I’m so glad you got to hold her. Calla is following in you and Callie’s footsteps in High School and Hugo is bigger than everyone his age. They all miss you and are so proud to call you their uncle.
Your best friends still check in with me and have had amazing support with random calls and messages.
I’ve lost some friends, made new ones, reconnected with old ones and I’ve been carried by the true ones.
Devan misses you, and Kyle plays rugby in North Carolina. We went to watch him in Houston. You would’ve loved that. Your friends from everyone near and far always check in. We tell stories about you and laugh until the tears start flowing. You are so alive in our lives and we will keep it that way. Both my brothers and sister came to visit. We had many nights listening to your favorite songs remembering Anton, mom and dad who are all with you now. I’m sure my mom is talking your ears off. I’m glad you have good company!
I can now make a perfect steak on a charcoal fire. I don’t love it but the smell reminds me of our Sundays together. The house is still standing but man I hate switching off the pool at night. You never complained. I have also figured out how to get new tires for my car delivered and now know how you did it so quickly without me knowing. We miss your big black truck and with the kids on the back cruising around on weekends. The driveway is so empty without it there. I see it so often on the highways and pretend it’s you following me to a restaurant like we did. The garage is finally cleaned up and we can see the floor in the shoe closet. There’s still a lot of things to fix but I promise I will get it done one day. I haven’t canceled your cell phone contract because I don’t want to lose your number. Sometimes I’ll send you messages hoping I’ll get one back. It’s silly I know but I miss your name on my phone.
We have a bird feeder now and the red cardinals come and visit often and it makes me smile. Your closet is still as messy as always but all your rugby jerseys are hanging in the house.
The dogs still run out the front door as soon as it opens, and Lulu sometimes looks at me with so many questions. She misses you! The weather is changing and we used to get so excited for summer, but I don’t even get in the pool anymore. I will try my best to do something fun with the kids over the holidays but we won’t go to our favorite spot anymore.
I still love my job and I remember how happy you were when I finally got it. You supported me so much helping me prepare for the interviews. I still wear the scrubs and shoes you bought me for my first day.
Everyone at work has been amazing and became like my second family. It’s hard sometimes walking through the ICU’s or driving past the hospital you and Francois went to. It’s crawfish season and you will miss the annual boil- last year you ate so much I had to tell you to stop because we’re the new people. I don’t have the heart to go this year. The crawfish at Borders are huge this year and I know you would’ve had them every day. I still have your loyalty card in my wallet and you had one last stamp before your free meal. I’ll never use it. Everyone there has been such a support.
Jay and Marina got married and it was beautiful.
It made me cry to be there without you. Daphanie finally got her Boston terrier and she would spend the night when I’m feeling alone. Kyle still wants to steal dusty and I know it hurts his heart when he sits in your chair. When we see Merit and Francois together it reminds us of you and Kyle. Their back porch is empty without your laughter. Bulls kids made the rugby team and they handed Francois a jersey. They play for you every week. Their motto is p4p -play for Pedrie. All of them are doing well and miss you. Kylie helps out with the kids and they still love her breakfast.
Rozzie sends cards for every imaginable holiday and visits when she can. Norv and Em have been running so much and are in the best shape of their lives. They miss you. Your golf buddies still get together on Sundays. They’ve also been a huge support. Mandi and Larry are killing it on the baseball field with their kids. She has helped Francois so much and is now his sports mom. Amy, Christian and Kelly would always stop for random hugs. They miss you.
Ericka ran a Marathon and Brookie and Belle loved Isabelle.
All your friends here miss you. Jaime has helped me with everything under the sun. I can’t even name it all, she’s on speed daily now. Amanda and the girls carry me through winter storms making sure the house is prepped. Pete and Morgan send flowers from Denver and Rice still follows up. The Sabercats and your South African friends would always make sure I’m doing well. Syla still runs the show. Charlie, Kelvin and Capri babysit the kids when I need it and still spoil them rotten! You had such a big golf day here in Weston and it was sold out. You probably would’ve loved it so much. Mr Bobby donated a dog and Leslie finally got her puppy, I can’t remember who cried more. The support has been unimaginable and I’m so grateful for everyone. Dinners, flowers and gifts overflowed the house when I needed it most and just stayed in bed. Ireland also had a golf day for you and they sent so many pictures of that day. All your old team mates, friends and fans played in it. They still check in. Your high school had a day for you with your face and their jerseys. The kids both have one. You were so loved all across the world.
The Bulls and teams across the world had 5 minutes of silence before their games.
I wish you could have lived to see it. Heyneke pops in and the kids love it when he visits.
I bet you cried when you saw Isabelle sing at your funeral. Friends from South Africa, Denver, Laurie from France, Austin, rugby teams and the list goes on were all there. And at home there was a big gathering where you played at Loftus. Albe, Kallie, Gerbs and Guttie still check in and so many more. Loffie still sends me songs you would’ve loved. They all miss you.
You touched so many lives and I realize it more every day.
Thank you for giving 12 years of your life to me. Our anniversary without you was hard but your birthday was by far the hardest second to today. I hope you see us and know I’m trying the best I possibly can. You’re not here but you’re still very much with us every day. We will love you as long as we can, until we see your smile again.
Thank you all for all the messages today from everyone. It means more than you’ll ever know.