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Mark C. wanted to return to Australia after spending six years in Congo.
On October 26 last year, Australian teacher Mark C.*, 57, who was working in Congo, was reported missing by his loved one. The investigation finally revealed that C. had not simply disappeared – he is said to have been poisoned by his lover and then fed to crocodiles, as reported by the Australian daily newspaper “Advertiser”.
Clement B.*, Mark C.’s lover, has confessed to the crime. His motive: the teacher wanted to go back to Australia after living and teaching in the Congo for six years – B. feared having to live in poverty in the future.
The crime is said to have happened as follows: B. came to Mark C.’s apartment, another colleague and later accomplice was also there. This friend is said to have poured poison into C.’s glass when he went to the toilet. When he came back, he drank from it and fell asleep – 35 minutes later he was said to have been dead.
After that, the two men put the body in a third person’s car and drove to a river full of crocodiles, where they disposed of the body. B. is on trial for murder in Brazzaville in March.
“He had a big heart”
Mark C.’s family is devastated. “It’s heartbreaking what happened to Mark. I spoke to him the day before he disappeared, »says his brother. He says it’s hard to deal with death because he was killed in such a brutal way. “If it had been an accident or an illness, it would have been easier to cope with,” said the brother.
His brother says that Mark C. had a big heart: “He knew it was a dangerous place, but he was very passionate about teaching and helping the children there.” (lrc)
* Names known