Homeless Man Jailed After DNA Linked Him To Rape And Murder He Committed 12 Years Ago

The long arm of justice has finally caught up with homeless Shaun Romano Keyser, who has been sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment for the rape and murder of 55-year-old Anna Abrahams — crimes he kept secret for 12 years.

For over a decade, Keyser walked freely through the streets of Prince Albert — even passing the home of his victim’s family — as the community mourned and police searched for answers. His dark secret was exposed only when DNA evidence linked him to the 2012 killing.

DNA Unmasks Cold-Blooded Homeless Killer

Abrahams’ body was discovered behind the home of a local liquor trader, Flippie Daler, on 11 February 2012. A post-mortem found she had been raped and died from alcohol intoxication. Despite extensive efforts, police made no arrests — until a fateful twist in 2024.

Keyser was arrested for an unrelated theft case, during which his DNA sample was taken and run through the national database. The results were explosive: his DNA matched the samples taken from Abrahams’ body.

Confronted with the evidence, Keyser confessed — but claimed he had been only 16 at the time and forced to have sex with the victim by two older men who threatened him. He denied killing her.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Poison In A Bottle: Fake Smirnoff Lab Busted In Umlazi

However, under cross-examination, his story began to crumble. Police traced the two men he blamed — but their DNA did not match. Only his DNA was found on the deceased.

Doctor’s New Finding Seals Murder Charge

Initially, the post-mortem listed alcohol intoxication as the cause of death — a finding that could have let Keyser escape the murder charge. But prosecutor Hyron Goulding, unconvinced, sought a second opinion from forensic pathologist Dr Hurst.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Tony Forbes ‘Pleased’ As AKA’s Alleged Killers Dragged Back To SA In Shackles

Her analysis changed everything. She confirmed the victim was far too intoxicated to consent to sex — her blood alcohol level of 0.31 g/100ml meant she was likely semi-conscious or comatose.

Dr Hurst also found petechial haemorrhages on the heart and lungs — signs of asphyxia. “While being sodomised, she would have been forced face-down and unable to breathe,” she wrote. “She was murdered — the perpetrator knew she could not resist.”

Justice Delayed, But Not Denied

The court found Keyser’s version full of lies and inconsistencies. Goulding argued that he had ample opportunity to report the supposed “real culprits” but chose silence.

Judge and jury were convinced: science and perseverance had closed the cold case at last. Keyser was sentenced to 10 years for rape and 10 years for culpable homicide, to run concurrently.

Western Cape DPP Advocate Nicolette Bell hailed the conviction as a victory for persistence and justice.

“This case shows how science and the law can work hand in hand. The investigators never gave up — and today, Anna Abrahams’ family finally has closure.”

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On  Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky