South African killer Louis van Schoor dies as victims still demand justice

In 2021, Van Schoor had both his legs partially amputated following circulatory complications.

His hospitalisation a month ago, in the same East London hospital where many of his victims were taken, was due to an infection in the remains of one of his limbs.

Sepsis develops when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection and starts attacking its own tissues and organs.

Van Schoor’s family said his condition deteriorated rapidly once sepsis set in, despite the best efforts of hospital staff.

In his final interview with the BBC, Van Schoor denied that he was a “serial killer”, but also said he had “no remorse” and “no guilt” for his past actions.

Isa Jacobson, a journalist and filmmaker who has spent 20 years investigating his case, says it is essential that killers from the apartheid era continue to be scrutinised – before it is too late.

“I think that we only know a small percentage of the killings that occurred in this country,” she said.

“People that hold the truth in their minds are dying… The longer we wait, the harder it will be to have that truth revealed.”