31-Year-Old Tiktoker Charged with Murder After Wife’s Stabbing Death

A 31-year-old man has been formally charged with the murder of his 25-year-old wife, Laeticia Danaa Malabar, whose body was discovered in an abandoned house in Curepipe on Wednesday, 15 October. The accused, JeanLuc Brandon Malabar, a TikToker from Beau-Vallon, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Eau-Coulée.

Mr. Malabar confessed to the stabbing after his arrest, admitting he had knifed the young woman before leaving her body in a derelict house near Curepipe College.

He was taken to the location where the grim discovery was made. The suspect appeared in court on a provisional murder charge, where police opposed his release, and he was remanded in custody.

The discovery ends several days of desperate searching by the victim’s family, who had been actively looking for her since her disappearance.

An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as a penetrating stab wound to the chest, with the weapon believed to be a kitchen knife.

Turbulent Relationship and Disappearance

The couple, who had been together for just over six years and had two children aged five and three, had a troubled relationship. The victim’s family had opposed the union.

“He often used to beat her,” the young woman’s uncle revealed, adding, “When we asked him what happened to the girl, he said he didn’t know.” Laeticia’s mother is reportedly in shock. Neighbours in Beau-Vallon confirmed a history of conflict, with one stating, “He often used to grab the woman and beat her.”

Laeticia was last seen on Sunday morning at her mother’s home in Eau-Coulée with her husband and children. The couple was engaged in a heated argument which continued until they left the residence around 9:50 am.

Family’s Growing Suspicion

The victim’s mother, Vanessa Juhel, a 44-year-old cook, reported her daughter missing to the local police station on Tuesday, 14 October, at 10:50 am.

She explained that Laeticia had not been heard from since leaving with her husband on Sunday morning, 12 October.

The mother told police that when she tried to question Mr. Malabar, he made troubling remarks, saying he didn’t know where Laeticia was.

A close relative said the family’s suspicions were heightened after Laeticia’s identity card and clothes were found in the rubbish, and her phone was discovered crushed.

“We already knew something serious had happened,” the relative stated. “Some people saw him beating Laeticia. We suspected he had beaten her, taken her, and left her somewhere.”

Alleged Deception and Ongoing Investigation

Hours before the body was found, Mr. Malabar had posted a video on his Facebook page, tearfully pleading for public help to find his wife.

“Help me, friends, I’m not well. I don’t know where my wife is,” he had said. However, acquaintances dismissed this as a performance, describing the accused as a woman-beater and a liar.

Sources close to the couple also suggested the disputes were fuelled by the husband’s alleged infidelity, as he had recently been seen with another woman.

The CID of Eau-Coulée is continuing its investigation, and the principal suspect remains in custody for questioning.

Source: l’Express