Delft Family Devastated After Nine-Year-Old Boy Takes His Own Life

A Delft family in Cape Town has been left shattered after nine-year-old Jody Windvogel died by suicide on Sunday, marking his second attempt in recent months.

The Grade 3 learner from Delft North Primary School was found in the backyard of his home in The Hague Avenue by his older brother, who alerted the family.

Mother describes the moment her world collapsed

Jody’s mother, Judith Windvogel, said she was cooking and doing household chores when she assumed her son had stepped outside to play with his pet pigeon, something he loved doing while waiting for supper.

“I said, ‘Mammie, wag net tot die kos klaar is dan gaan Mammie skep,’” she recalled.
“Then my other son came running in and said, ‘Mammie, kom kyk hie buite wat maak Jody.’”

When she rushed outside, she found her son with a rope around his neck, kneeling on the ground.

“I took off the rope,” she said, fighting back tears.
“This was not his first attempt. He tried before, but we managed to wake him up.”

Judith said she has no explanation for why her son took such drastic action.

“We don’t know if he was bullied. He never told me anything,” she said.

“He was my shadow—wherever I went, he was there. He was my baby, my alles.”

Jody’s grandmother, Petro Windvogel, broke down while showing journalists the spot where the incident occurred.

“I am hurt. We don’t understand hoekom and waarom he did it,” she said.
“Only God knows.”

Delft Family pleads with public to stop spreading false rumours

The Windvogel family expressed deep frustration over hurtful online rumours accusing the mother of neglect.

Judith firmly dismissed the claims:

“People are saying I left to buy beer. That is not true—I was at home.

“These people don’t live with us. They don’t know me or my relationship with my children.”

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that an inquest has been opened.

“Circumstances surrounding the death of a nine-year-old boy whose body was found on 16 November 2025 in The Hague Avenue, Delft, are under investigation,” he said.

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