Shaun Romano Keyser Sentenced for 2012 Rape and Murder in South Africa
On November 12, 2025, the Oudtshoorn Regional Court in Western Cape, South Africa, sentenced Shaun Romano Keyser to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for the rape and culpable homicide (murder) of 55-year-old Anna Abrahams. The crimes occurred on January 1, 2012, and Keyser was linked to them through DNA evidence obtained during an unrelated arrest in 2024—exactly 12 years later.
Key Details of the Case
- The Crimes: Keyser broke into Abrahams’ home in Oudtshoorn, raped her, and caused her death through culpable homicide (determined as the legal cause after new medical evidence showed it was not solely due to alcohol intoxication, as initially thought). He lived on the same street as the victim for the entire 12 years without confessing.
- Initial Investigation: The case went cold after the 2012 murder, with early evidence suggesting Abrahams died from intoxication. No suspect was identified at the time.
- Breakthrough via DNA: In June 2024, Keyser was arrested for theft. Routine DNA sampling matched evidence from Abrahams’ rape kit and crime scene, leading to his rearrest on June 19, 2024, for the 2012 offenses.
- Trial and Sentencing:
- Prosecutor Goulding argued for a severe sentence, citing the heinous nature of the attack and Keyser’s silence for over a decade.
- The court imposed 10 years for rape and 10 years for culpable homicide, to run concurrently for a total of 20 years.
- Keyser claimed during cross-examination that he “waited for the police to come to him,” but offered no remorse.
Broader Context
This case highlights the power of forensic DNA databases in solving cold cases. Without the 2024 theft arrest and subsequent profiling, the murder charge might have been dropped due to the initial cause-of-death ambiguity. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) emphasized that new medical testimony on the cause of death was crucial in securing the full conviction.
The story gained attention through reports from Linda Ikeji’s Blog and the NPA, underscoring how advancements in DNA technology continue to deliver justice years after the fact. If this isn’t the specific incident you meant, feel free to provide more details for further clarification!