By Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos/images courtesy of Freepik and Flickr
When death strikes under mysterious circumstances, the truth is often hard to grasp. That was the case for Susan Rhode (refer to the Crime Series published in Servamus: June and July 2019) and that of Rochelle Naidoo (refer to the Crime Series published from p42 in this issue of Servamus) where investigators had to ask: murder, accident or suicide? Susan’s husband, Jason, claimed she hanged herself using a curling iron cord, while Rochelle’s lover insisted she took her own life by shooting herself with his firearm, claims that would ignite intense scrutiny and a complex investigation.
In ambiguous or “equivocal” situations, an equivocal death analysis can offer crucial clarity and the truth. Such reviews are often sought when insurance payouts hinge on the manner of death, or when families are concerned that authorities ruled too quickly on a tragedy as suicide, accident or foul play and want an expert second opinion for peace of mind.
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: February 2026. This article is available for purchase.]