He was destined for Spain: Jayden-Lee Meek's family demands justice as mother faces murder charges
Jayden-Lee Meek was murdered outside his home after failing to come home on May 12. His relative said he was supposed to go to Spain on the day his body was identified.
Image: Supplied
On May 14, the body of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek was discovered half-naked in a passageway near his mother’s apartment in Fleurhof, Johannesburg, just hours before his parents were scheduled to sign documents for his dream opportunity to play soccer in Spain.
Now, his mother, Tiffany Nicole Meek, 31, faces accusations of his murder.
During a TikTok Live hosted by community activist Althea Cluff, Jayden’s uncle, Owen Meek, opened up about the pain, confusion, and anger the family has faced in the two months since the child's death.
“Jayden was selected to play soccer in Spain. The day his parents were supposed to go sign the documents, they went to identify his body. How crushing is that? This is what we are doing to our next generation.
“How does anyone not know that that child could have looked after his mom and entire family?” Owen said.
“That was taken from him, and it’s not right. It is unimaginable for any parent to go through this.”
He asked everyone to light a candle and let it burn out on Friday night.
Jayden-Lee Meek was murdered outside his home after failing to come home on May 12. His relative said he was supposed to go to Spain on the day his body was identified.
Image: Supplied
Meek made her first court appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
She has been charged with murder, obstructing the administration of justice, attempting to defeat the ends of justice, and crimen injuria.
She is accused of killing her son at home and attempting to stage the scene to mislead investigators. The matter was postponed to July 18, for a bail application.
Jayden-Lee Meek's mother, Tiffany Meek, appears in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
Despite the serious charges, Owen expressed conflicting feelings about his former sister-in-law.
“I don’t hate her. I believe she loved Jayden. But my gut says she did not act alone. She has to face the law. There are others involved, and she knows who. That’s why she cannot get bail,” he said.
Jayden-Lee was reported missing on the evening of May 13.
His body was discovered early the next morning, metres from his home.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the child had returned home from school and was allegedly murdered inside the apartment.
Phindi Mjonondwane, NPA regional spokesperson for the Gauteng Division in Johannesburg, said: “The accused remains in custody. The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice for victims in similar cases and will continue to hold perpetrators accountable.”
During the TikTok live, Cluff and Owen detailed moments in the weeks following Jayden-Lee’s death that, in hindsight, raised red flags.
“There were a lot of smoke screens. Tiffany’s brother, who was always the mouthpiece, kept postponing funeral planning meetings. Eventually, they arrived late and disinterested,” Cluff recalled.
“She didn’t want the father to have access to Jayden’s body. She told us he shouldn’t be part of anything. She said with her own mouth, ‘He’s not going to be a part of it.’ I told her, ‘When parents divorce, it has nothing to do with the child. You’re doing an injustice to him.’”
Owen addressed mounting public scrutiny: “People must stop asking, ‘Where was the father? Where were the Meeks?’ Tiffany married into the Meek family. Jayden was born a Meek. We’re not implicated in this.”
Both Owen and Cluff spoke of Meek’s demeanour in the weeks before her arrest.
“She showed no remorse. She was rude, controlling, and fought with us even at Jayden’s campout,” said Cluff. “But the moment she was arrested, she cried. Two different people.”
The family believes Meek’s behaviour was part of a broader attempt to hide the truth.
They accuse her of shutting out Jayden-Lee’s father and taking control of arrangements in a way that alienated the paternal family.
“She once told me, ‘You’re the only Meeks here. The rest are gone.’ That hurt. We were there to help,” Owen said. “I walked next to her. She hugged my children. We marched together. Never for one moment did I think she was involved.”
He added that the community is growing increasingly restless: “If she gets bail, I fear for what might happen. She must be protected until she can talk. We need to know who helped her, why they did it, and what really happened to Jayden.”
Despite the anger, Owen said he does not seek revenge, only truth and justice.
“I’m not angry at her. I’m angry at what was done to him. They left him naked. No dignity. No child deserves that. She has to talk. But we cannot fall apart now as a family.”
Cluff confirmed that a memorial gathering in Jayden-Lee’s honour will be held this Saturday in Fleurhof Extension 29, hosted by a community member.
“It will serve as a way to keep Jayden’s memory alive and honour his life through good deeds, a tradition inspired by Islamic practice. It’s not a charity drive,” Cluff said.
“All the food and logistics are covered. It’s simply about remembering Jayden and the many children who loved him.”
The Meek family, shattered and seeking answers, says they are placing their faith in the justice system.
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