Her body‚ which had been held for several weeks at a state mortuary‚ had been released to her mother this week after DNA conclusively identified her.
The Sunday Times reported that Siam Lee‚ who had worked as an escort to support her mother‚ had reached out to an organisation that assists sex workers‚ pleading for their help in the weeks before her murder.
She detailed her despair of having to lead a double life while moving from one brothel to another‚ all the while maintaining a façade for her family and friends.
Her alleged killer remains in custody after he was arrested last month. He is expected to apply for bail in the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday.
He cannot be named‚ in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act‚ as he stands accused of rape and has yet to tender a plea.