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No Signs of a Struggle: Post-Mortem Findings Deepen Questions in Jayden-Lee Meek Case

Published

2 months ago

July 22, 2025

Chiraag

Latest Jayden-Lee Meek case update with forensic report findings and Tiffany Meek's contradictions, as testified by SAPS Sergeant Linda Duma, including school bag evidence and concerns for child safety in Johannesburg, reported as Roodepoort court news detailing no signs of struggle in this South African crime court case for Joburg ETC.

A child found lifeless. A mother under scrutiny. A city watching.

As the investigation into the tragic death of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek unfolds, a disturbing new detail has surfaced: the child had no defensive injuries. That is according to the official post-mortem report, revealed during the ongoing bail application of his mother, Tiffany Meek, at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.

A Silent End

Jayden-Lee was last seen returning from school on 13 May, only to vanish within his own apartment complex in Roodepoort. His lifeless body was discovered hours later on 14 May. What is deeply unsettling is that the post-mortem suggests he may not have had the chance to fight back; his body bore no defensive wounds.

The forensic report details severe blunt force head trauma, cerebral swelling, and bruising, including a deep skull haemorrhage and abrasions on his face and elbow. Importantly, there were no injuries indicating that Jayden tried to protect himself.

This single fact has sent a wave of sorrow and disbelief across Gauteng.

Inside the Courtroom: Tensions and Contradictions

During the hearing, Sergeant Linda Duma returned to the witness box, meticulously picking apart several claims made in Tiffany Meek’s earlier affidavit.

Meek had claimed that she left her flat much earlier in the day. However, Duma testified that CCTV footage and other evidence showed she had returned to the apartment at around 4:00 AM on the morning her son’s body was found. She then reportedly left again around 5:30 AM.

There were other contradictions too. Meek argued that police did not photograph her son’s school bag. Yet, a photo clearly shows the bag, which was later processed and sealed into evidence. Inside were books and his lunchbox, still packed from the day he vanished.

Another troubling point was Meek’s claim that sniffer dogs reacted to a “security flat” that police refused to search. Duma dismissed this, stating that no such flat was ever occupied by security staff.

“This Isn’t a Witch Hunt”

Meek’s affidavit suggested police might be framing her, a claim Duma rejected outright. He told the court the investigation followed standard procedure and that police needed time to gather evidence before making an arrest.

“Why would we frame her?” he asked. “We do not arrest to investigate. We investigate to arrest.”

This included waiting for lab results on blood traces and the formal post-mortem. These delays, while difficult for the public to accept, are standard in such sensitive cases.

Interestingly, Duma did confirm that a blood-stained pillow was found and taken for DNA analysis. He admitted under questioning that a bloody towel was also observed but not collected as evidence, stating, “It never crossed my mind.” This lapse may draw criticism as the trial progresses.

Public Reaction and What’s Next

Social media has erupted in a mix of heartbreak, frustration, and calls for justice. Many are demanding answers about how a child could be harmed in what was supposed to be a secure complex. Others are focused on the inconsistencies in Meek’s statements and the state’s slow but careful handling of the investigation.

The case has captivated Johannesburg and beyond, not only for its horror but for what it reveals about the painful complexities of child protection, parental trust, and justice.

For now, the court proceedings continue. With each day, the image of Jayden-Lee becomes a symbol of a young life cut short and a community asking hard questions.