Cape Town: Community Mourns Linten Jutzen After Shocking Murder

Cape Town’s LGBTQI+ community has been left heartbroken and outraged following the brutal murder of 44-year-old Linten Jutzen, a beloved and vibrant figure.

On 21 April, Linten’s body was found stuffed inside a refuse “wheelie bin” in an open area between a school and a tennis court in the Bonteheuwel area.

The shocking and dehumanising manner in which their body was discarded has sent chills through the community, suggesting that the murder may have been a hate crime.

According to police spokesperson Wesley Twigg, “The victim had no visible injuries. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”

The Motive Remains Unclear

Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie strongly condemned the killing in a Facebook video, describing Linten as a beacon of light in the community.

“He was well-known, well-liked, and always an absolute ball of laughter and joy. And so to have heard about his killing, to have been on site where he was dumped, and in the manner in which he was dumped, was hugely, hugely disgusting and sadly disappointing that [there are] people within our communities who treat people in a manner such as that,” McKenzie said.

He added: “We do not know the exact motive around this killing. However, any violence against anyone based on their sexuality or their preferences cannot be allowed to continue.”

In an update on Wednesday, McKenzie refuted speculation that Linten had been shot execution-style. “This is not what happened,” he clarified. “The investigation is progressing exceptionally well, and an arrest is imminent, and when information becomes available, it will be known to everyone.”

Linten Jutzen a Lover of Pageantry

Chedino Martin, a close friend who knew Linten under their pageant name, Linda Sharapova, spoke to MambaOnline about the vibrant and loving person the community has lost.

“I met Linda Sharapova 20 years ago at a beauty pageant, we were both first-time entrants and immediately started to bond. Linda was crowned 2nd Princess and I managed to take home the title,” said Chedino.

She described Linten’s passions as “pageantry, netball and she loved hanging out with family and friends.”

“Linda was a very bubbly, vibrant type of person – she could light up a room with a warm personality. She had a very kind heart and an infectious personality. Her zest for life is what I will always and forever treasure.”

“She also had a very unique style of dressing and that definitely made her stand out amongst the rest,” Chedino added.

Our Existence Harms No-one 

Chedino recalled the moment she heard about Linten’s death. “A mutual friend of ours informed me via WhatsApp. All I remember was the feeling of numbness and a voice in my head saying that this can’t be true.”

When asked whether she believed Linten might have been targeted because of their LGBTQI+ identity, Chedino said, “With everything that’s going on in our country and the world at large at the moment, I definitely do think so. Trump and his actions towards our community have definitely given these sick narcissistic individuals the idea that we don’t belong or have a right to be our authentic true selves.”

Chedino continued: “Our existence is not harming anyone. Linda chose to be their authentic true self and decided to live life to the fullest, until someone – or more – decided to end her life and dump her body in this inhumane way. I pray to God that whoever was responsible will be found and punished for what they have done. We as a community will not rest until the perpetrator – or perpetrators – is found.”

The police are urging anyone with information about the murder of Linten Jutzen to come forward. Tip-offs can be made anonymously via Crime Stop by calling 08600 10111.