Stewart Wilken (born 11 November 1966), known as the Boetie Boer, is a convicted serial killer from South Africa, who was active in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth.
Stewart Wilken | |
|---|---|
| Born | Stewart Wilken 11 November 1966 |
| Other names | Boetie Boer |
| Criminal penalty | 7 life sentences |
| Details | |
| Victims | 10+ |
Span of crimes | 1990–1997 |
| Country | South Africa |
Date apprehended | 1997 |
Early life
editStewart Wilken was born on 11 November 1966 in Boksburg, South Africa. His father abandoned him and his two-year-old sister in a telephone booth when he was around six months old.[1][2]
A domestic servant found the children and took them to the home of her employer, a man known as "Doep", who inflicted extreme physical and sexual abuse on Wilken over a period of around 18 months. His sister disappeared. When Wilken was around two, a couple called the Wilkens who lived next door adopted him, finding him malnourished and infested with lice. They named him Stewart Wilken, but he called himself "Boetie Boer" ("brother farmer"). The family moved to Port Elizabeth.[3]
He did not do well at school, and behaved violently both at school and at home on occasion, leading to frequent punishment. He started smoking marijuana at the age of eight, and was sexually abused by a clergyman at the age of nine.[3]
Crimes
editWilken is regarded as a highly unusual serial killer, having killed individuals from two distinct victim types: female prostitutes and young boys. He also killed his adolescent daughter, Wuane. Wilken killed from 1990 until he was arrested in January 1997. He was active in Port Elizabeth, on the east coast of South Africa.[4][5][6][1]
He killed his daughter, Wuane, who was born from his first marriage. He said that she was sexually abused by her step-dad so he wanted to send her soul to God. He also killed Henry Bakers, the son of his second wife. He said during an interview with the police that he had sex with Henry's decomposing corpse. He also stated that he ate the nipples of one of his victims.[4]
Arrest and conviction
editWilken was charged with 10 counts of murder and five counts of sodomy on 3 February 1997. He was convicted of 7 counts of murder and two counts of sodomy on 20 February 1998. Wilken received seven life sentences and was further advised by Justice Chris Jansen that he would have received the death penalty had it still been available to him.[citation needed]
Forensic psychologist and investigator Micki Pistorius, who worked on the case, described Wilken as "one of the worst sadists I have ever met".[1]
In popular media
editThe five-part true crime documentary series Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster[7] was released by Showmax in October 2023. Directed by Jasyn Howes, the series features interviews with Wilken himself, as well as the family of one of his victims, Georgina Zweni, and his own surviving children, Sonika and Sergius. Certain events are recreated by actors, with Wilken played by Raven Swart.[8]
Wilken's case is also featured in episode 7 of the Showmax drama series about Micki Pistorius, Catch Me a Killer, released in February 2024.[9][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Pistorius, Micki (2023). "Nine: Stewart Wilken, alias Boetie Boer". Catch Me a Killer: A Profiler's True Story. Penguin Random House South Africa. p. 157. ISBN 978-1-77639-146-2. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Marriott, T. (2013). The Evil Within - A Top Murder Squad Detective Reveals The Chilling True Stories of The World's Most Notorious Killers. John Blake. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-78219-365-4. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ a b Ströhm, Martin. "South African serial killer Stewart Wilken killed adolescent boys and female prostitutes". Crime Library. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ a b Serial Murderers and their Victims. Cengage Learning. 23 June 2009. pp. 344–. ISBN 9784956008143.
- ^ Pistorius, Micki (2002). Strangers on the street: serial homicide in South Africa. Penguin. ISBN 9780141003566.
- ^ "Story of a serial killer". North Harbour News. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- ^ Boetie Boer: Inside the Mind of a Monster at IMDb
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (18 September 2023). ""Boetie Boer: Inside The Mind Of A Monster": Showmax Orders Chilling True Crime Story Of South African Serial Killer". Deadline. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Cannon, Nicholas (2 March 2024). "Catch Me A Killer: release date, cast, plot, trailer, episode guide, exclusive interview and everything you need to know". whattowatch.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (25 January 2024). "'Catch Me a Killer': Showmax unveils trailer for serial killer profiler series starring 'Game of Thrones' Charlotte Hope" (video + text). Deadline.