Pregnant Mom Hacked to Death in Front of Son at Luxury South African Resort

A pregnant young woman was hacked to death in her bed Tuesday during a family break at a luxury South African vacation resort.

Karen Turner, 31, who was three months pregnant, was sleeping with her husband, Matthew, 33, and their toddler son when they were attacked at about 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Matthew was stabbed repeatedly as he lay beside his wife at the Hluleka Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape province of the country.

Two men armed with knives sneaked into their self-contained lodge overlooking the beach.

Karen, a primary school teacher from Underberg, South Africa, died almost instantly, while Matthew managed to fight back and survived after being flown to Pietermaritzburg, where he underwent surgery, according to police.

Karen’s unborn child was also killed in the frenzied attack. Her 23-month-old son, Hayden, survived and was uninjured.

It is unclear what the motive was for the horrific murder.

Enlarge ImageKaren and Matthew TurnerFacebook

The vicious attack comes just days before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are due to fly into South Africa with their son, Archie.

They are taking their baby on a tour to visit Harry’s “favorite place in the world” but where crime is spiraling out of control with over 21,000 murders and 45,000 rapes carried out last year.

The army is deployed on the streets in townships on the outskirts of Cape Town to try to stop the bloodshed.

Police say one suspect is being hunted and his arrest is imminent. The second attacker has yet to be identified.

Karen’s older brother Ian Crouch told News24 that he had spoken to his brother-in-law when he came out of life-saving surgery after being airlifted to Pietermaritzburg Hospital.

“Matthew’s recollection was that he was woken up by being stabbed in the stomach by a guy on his side of the bed and there was another chap stabbing my sister,” he said.

“He said he managed to sort of grab the guy and there was a tussle down the stairs.”

Crouch drove to the scene, which he described as a “bloodbath,” and said the balcony door was open and the windows on latches as it was a hot night and there was no forced entry.

He confirmed it appeared nothing had been stolen and their cellphones were by their bed.

Crouch also said his sister was about three months pregnant and died a day after celebrating her 31st birthday.

The couple had just bought a home together in Underberg on the farm that Matthew managed.

They married in July 2017 and Hayden was born four months later.

Friends who were on vacation with them were awakened by the sounds of a struggle and Hayden screaming.

Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency CEO Vuyani Dayimani said: “The two guests were booked in from Monday to Thursday and police were called after a stabbing incident.

“The police have confirmed one visitor passed away and another is in hospital.

“As an agency who manages the reserve, we are shocked that his taken place in one of our flagship coastal reserves as the safety and security of our guests is our key priority.”