Murder, suicide an international shock

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Trevor Davis' motive for killing his Protea bowls player wife, Elma (51), with a 12-gauge shotgun before turning the gun on himself, remains a mystery.

The couple's bodies were found on their bedroom floor in Fijnboschpark in 17th Avenue, Mossel Bay, on Sunday, 14 April, after a neighbour alerted the Mossel Bay police.

The neighbour heard gunshots shortly before 17:00. Police who arrived on the scene found all the doors locked and had to force a door open with the help of the municipal fire management services. It is alleged Trevor (67) phoned his mother-in-law, Naomi, who lives in the same complex as they did, shortly before the gunshots were heard.

Forensic specialists searched the house, but there was no sign of a suicide note. Trevor and Elma both had head injuries and Elma had a wound in her leg.

Medical personnel declared them dead at the scene. Police found four bullet casings in the house. A post-mortem was to be conducted this week. Trevor and Elma had both been married before. They had no children together, however, Trevor leaves a daughter from his previous marriage.

The couple married in September 2009 and had lived in Mossel Bay since then.

Friends say the Davis' three Yorkshire terriers were like their children and always stayed with Naomi whenever the couple had to travel. The dogs were with Naomi on the day of the shooting. The tragic event follows the All Cape bowls competition, which they both attended in Port Elizabeth last week.

'They were dear friends'
A close friend of the couple and fellow bowls teammate, Johlene Bronkhorst, spent a week with the Davises in PE and travelled back with them in the same car.

An emotional Johlene told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that they had a nice week together.

"We had such an incredible time and enjoyed professional bowls. We had so much fun; we walked on the beach and went out for dinner every night."

She says although Trevor had to work the whole week, the team focused on bowls and "had an amazing time. He also joined us for dinner every night and we made a lot of jokes."

Johlene describes Trevor as a man who always had time for everyone. "He was very busy and always gave 110%. Bowls was his passion and he worked extremely hard." She says Elma was a friendly person. "She always laughed and always had time to give you a hug. She was awesome."

A friend of the couple says Trevor always had a heavy workload. "If you wanted something done perfectly, just ask Trevor, and everyone did. He could not live without Elma."

Bowling world shocked
As the news of the death of the couple spread, the bowls world was abuzz.

Trevor was a top administrator and a member of the executive of Bowls South Africa. He was a former president of the Southern Free State Bowling Association and of Eden Bowls, serving for many years and participating and representing South Africa on the World Bowls Laws Committee.

Elma was a multiple champion at every level, an eminent bowler who gained international colours in 2014 and represented South Africa with distinction. She was meant to travel to Wales next month to represent SA in a world bowls tournament.

The president of Eden Bowls, Jenny Sinclair, says the couple made a large, positive contribution to the sport. "It's so difficult to put a price tag on their heads. They were both top level coaches, top level technical officials. She was a Protea player for many years. They've managed teams; they were going to be involved again this year. She encouraged younger bowlers. I could go on for hours."

Elma has a brother, Danie, two sisters and Trevor a sister, Rosemarie.

Mossel Bay police have opened an inquest docket.

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