The unsolved murder of David Breckenridge: Help us catch a killer
YOU might not recall where you were on a specific night 15 years ago. But rugby fans will remember when Springboks fan Piet Van Zyl attacked Irish referee Dave McHugh in Tri Nations meeting between the All Blacks and South Africa in 2002. That was the night David Breckenridge was brutally murdered in a laneway at St Leonards. We need your help to catch his killer.
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ASK most people where they were on a specific night 15 years ago and they will be hard pressed to tell you what they were doing.
But rugby fans will remember where they were when Springboks fan Piet Van Zyl attacked Irish referee Dave McHugh in Tri Nations meeting between the All Blacks and South Africa on August 10, 2002.
That was the night David Breckenridge was brutally murdered in a laneway at St Leonards.
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CHAPTER TWO: NO ONE DIES OVER ECSTASY AND SOME LINES OF COKE
A drunk Van Zyl stormed the Durban pitch angered by refereeing decisions and wrestled McHugh to the ground, who suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Breckenridge was due to watch the very same match at a mate’s house.
First, however, he stopped in at St Leonards Tavern where the last minutes of his life were captured on CCTV.
At 11.45pm, the secruity footage shows David entering the pub and chatting with the licensee Grant Baker
David waits at the bar for a few minutes as Grant goes out the back to grab a cold, six-pack of VB to give to David as a birthday gift — he had turned 28-years old the day before his murder.
The tavern was crowded with people waiting to watch the match. If you remember the infamous night in rugby history and were at the St Leonards Tavern then you may be the witness who could unlock the mystery of who killed David Breckenridge.
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REVEALED: CRIME SCENE PHOTOS FROM DAVID’S MURDER
The Daily Telegraph is shining a light on this cold case murder through its exclusive podcast special investigation Eight Minutes.
The five-part series reveals, at one level, the seemingly normal life of a young man with the world before him tragically cut short in a few short minutes of almost inconceivable violence.
It also uncovered a world of drinking and recreational drug use, one-night stands and a love triangle suggested revenge as the killer’s motive, which was ultimately ruled out.
The Daily Telegraph can also reveal startling new evidence that raises questions about the police’s handling of the case.
Do you know something about what happened to David Breckenridge?
Even the smallest detail could help bring a murderer to justice and help bring some closure to David’s family and friends.
Help us catch a killer.
Email eightminutes@dailytelegraph.com.au or call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
READ PART ONE OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION
