Killed before he could propose

A young man who was planning to propose to his girlfriend this Saturday has been found strangled to death inside his home and his killers stole his flashy BMW.

Enrico Smith, 29, was an IT specialist and had moved into his rented home in Jacana Lane, Pelican Park on Sunday.

Yesterday morning, Enrico’s landlord was alerted by domestic workers who found his body tied up inside the house.

Enrico had been strangled to death, according to close friends.

His blue 3-series BMW with registration CG 50 HR GP was missing from the residence.

Enrico is from Port Elizabeth, but relocated to Cape Town.

His friend and neighbour, who asked not to be identified, says they heard a car speeding down the street and doors slamming, not realising it was the killers fleeing the scene.

They say Enrico was a quiet young man, the brother of a traffic officer, and was going to propose to his girlfriend at the weekend.

“He was someone who was gentle and quiet,” says the friend.

“He just moved into the house on Sunday and was renting.

“He lived a door away from the house before that.

“He was going to propose to his girlfriend on Saturday and had been planning the engagement for weeks.

“I was restless during the night and, at 3am, I heard car doors slamming and [the vehicle] speeding off.

“This morning workers alerted the landlord after finding his body.”