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Gregg Pettigrew, the soapie star who murdered and killed his teenage partner last week, has been officially removed from 7de Laan. While the TV celebrity did not appear on the Afrikaans soapie, the popular show has seen a number of personal tragedies afflict its cast members.
Beloved figures have had real-life tragedies play out in public over the years.
Here are five heartbreaking stories from the past.
Aubrey – Randall de Jager
Randall, who played Aubrey Rudolph on 7de Laan, was killed in a botched house break-in on December 22, 2001.
The 30-year-old actor was shot in the face while house-sitting for a friend.
Waldemar Schultz – Jan-Hendrik
In 2013, the son of Waldemar – who played Jan-Hendrik Terreblanche on 7de Laan – fell to his death off a cliff at a popular whale-watching spot in Hermanus.
News24 reports that the soapie actor and his family were in the town to attend the Kalfiefees annual entertainment festival.
Son of SA actor, Waldemar Schultz (better know as #7delaan's Jan-Hendrik) fell on a 50metre cliff in Hermanus. pic.twitter.com/x30WXSmuuo
— Earl-Ryan September (@earlseptember) August 10, 2013
Themsie Times – Maria
7de Laan was dealt a major blow when the soapie’s beloved house helper Maria Zibula- played by Themsie Times – died in 2021.
The 70-year-old’s cause of death was never disclosed.
A statement from 7de laan about the passing of Themsie Times, popular for her role as Maria Zibula on 7de Laan. #RIPThemsieTimes https://t.co/pCZwySOzW1 pic.twitter.com/CPUmvOmOy5
— Buzz Life News (@BuzzLifenews) December 10, 2021
Antonio Summerton – Rick
The soapie star – who appeared in 7de Laan’s early days, died in a motorbike crash in 2007.
He was just 27 years old.
Patrick Shai – Jacob
The most heartbreaking story involving a 7de Laan star was the suicide of Patrick Shai – who played Jacob Moloi – in 2022.
The veteran star ended his life after allegedly being cyber bullied over a lighthearted video he posted just days prior.
“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”
Robala ka kagiso Ntate Patrick Shai 💐#PatrickShai #RIPPatrickShai pic.twitter.com/nd4brYP4mX
— Mrs Noma 🔆 (@MrsNoma) January 29, 2022
Meanwhile, Gregg Pettigrew is scheduled to appear in court this week on murder charges in the death of his 29-year-old boyfriend, Dean Jeran.
The accident happened last week at the actor’s Kempton Park rental house. Following the tragic gunshot, Pettigrew tried suicide by ingesting pain medicine.
The actor from Getroud Met Rugby is also accused of illegally having a handgun.