Update
ABERDEEN NEWS - A lovers' quarrel is believed to have become so heated that one is dead while the other is in custody for murder.
Aden Esau (31) was stabbed to death in the early hours of Sunday morning after a social gathering on Saturday evening 14 January at a house in North Street.
Esau succumbed to a single stab wound to his upper body.
His alleged attacker apparently fled the scene shortly after the stabbing, saying he was going to get help. The incident happened at about 00:30 and the Aberdeen police arrested a 19-year-old man shortly afterwards in connection with the murder.
According to the host, who asked to stay anonymous, Esau, his partner, and a friend paid him a visit at his place of residence for a relaxing get together. "We were just four friends chilling on a laid-back Saturday evening - chatting, chomping and watching movies," he says. "Aden was back in town, in a romantic relationship and he said they were happy. We were all so happy for Aden. He was at a good point in his life."
The host says something that happened in the house during the visit sparked an argument between the couple and emotions quickly escalated out of control. "It all happened so fast. I am still completely shocked and cannot believe what had happened."
He says he saw the stabbing - just one swift action with tragic consequences. "I tried to stop the guy, but my hand got cut and it was really all so fast."
The host says that he tried his best to stop the bleeding, but realising that help wasn't arriving, he went outside to call for help. However, when the ambulance arrived, Esau was declared deceased.
In view of the gravity of the charge and not to compromise the case, no other details are published at this stage.
According to a close friend of the family, Esau was the oldest of four siblings who lost their mother a few years ago.
"I am devastated. He had such high hopes for this year. He finished his studies last year and was back in Aberdeen," says the heartbroken friend. Esau completed his diploma in quantity surveying in August 2022. Prior to going to Cape Town to study, he was employed at the Aberdeen Heritage Archives for seven years, until the Archives closed. "He then decided to go to Cape Town and study, but could not wait to finish and come back to his hometown. Aden always just wanted to give back to Aberdeen's people what he had learned elsewhere and make Aberdeen a better place."
Another friend of the deceased says Esau was almost a hero to them. "It was so good to have him back. Since forever he was one of the bright ones - you know, he passed matric with distinctions! He always had a proper job until the archives closed and then he said he had to study further. Make something of his life. Yoh, he is leaving a big, empty hole."
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