WA: Cooloongup couples death makes headlines in South Africa

News of the death of an elderly couple, whose bodies were found in their Western Australian home at the weekend, has made headlines back in their homeland.

The bodies of Ernest Gielink, 70, and his wife Linda, 66, were discovered by family members at their Cooloongup home in Western Australia on Sunday, after their family hadn’t heard from them over the weekend.

WA Police said they don’t suspect any “third-party involvement” in the deaths, nor any danger to the community, indicating the case could be treated as a murder-suicide.

The couple emigrated from their native South Africa several years ago, with the news of their deaths being reported by online SA publication independent Online (IOL).

It’s understood the Gielinks’ daughter made the grim discovery on Sunday evening at the Sunningdale Circle property, where both the couple’s cars were present, with the alarm going off when she entered the home.

Forensic police officers remained at the home as late as Tuesday, collecting evidence.

Mandurah parent Chrissy Hitchcock paid tribute to Linda Gielink in a social media post.

Ms Gielink had been a part-time teacher in Rockingham, and it’s understood she had retired on Friday.

“You treated my son with so much love when you were his relief teacher,” wrote Ms Hitchcock.

“Not only did you teach one of my children, but you taught all three over the span of 10-15 years at Cooloongup Primary … You found the best in every child no matter what.

“A much loved lady … I can’t believe this has happened.”

The couple was also involved in the local church community; it’s understood they attended church on Saturday night in one of the last sightings of either of the Gielinks alive.

Nearby neighbours Dtwana and Bob Cameron told The West Australian newspaper they saw Ernest just two days before the incident.

“The last time we saw Ernest was on Friday afternoon,” they told the paper. “We drove past and waved to him, he was on the drive,” she said.

“And then we didn’t hear anything else because we went out on Sunday.

“[We’re] quite shocked about the whole thing because they’re both lovely people … Linda used to walk past when she went for her walks and we’d say hi.”

A former student of Ms Gielink’s also reached out to pay tribute on social media.

“Condolences To Family,” wrote Carl Lupke on Facebook.

“Linda Gielink was one of my primary school teachers in South Africa.”

WA Police said they “will continue to provide support and assistance to the family, friends and first-responders affected by this tragic incident.”

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