Tragedy strikes as father is fatally stabbed in Ocean View

It was an outing  to a familiar place, the place that he grew up in, but what started as a chance to sympathise with family on the loss of a loved one, soon turned to tragedy.

On the 8th of April,  Neville Scholz, 48, a father of three and grandfather from Ottery was stabbed to death as soon as he arrived in Ocean View. After visiting his aunt's place he decided to pay a visit to his cousin further up the road, up the mountainous side in an area called Hungry Hill. His distraught son, Cazaiah, said his father knew the area and everybody in the area knew him.

 "He loved and cared for his family so much, that's why he made it a priority to go and sympathise with his family. He always tried his best to support them and would grab any opportunity to visit his childhood place. My daddy loved Ocean View. Upon his arrival, he sent messages of joy and excitement to let his Ocean View family know he's in the area. Being back in Ocean View meant he could visit all his old pals and family." 

As he was walking up the road, he was approached by three men who robbed him of his phone and "a few loose coins" in his pocket.

"They must have assaulted him before stabbing him," he said.

His mother Cynthia Scholtz said as her husband was lying on the road, bleeding to death, a woman, who was walking the same road, started screaming  that there was a man lying  in the street.

"It was at the same that his other aunt sent someone to go and check where he went and that is when they saw that it is him that was stabbed."

She said her husband was aware how dangerous the area was, but because he was from the area, he thought the gangsters wouldn't harm him.

She said when the family got the call in Ottery, they were shocked and devastated.

"It is still a big shock, because we were at home in Ottery. I thought he might have decided to sleep over in Ocean View, but when we got the news it was just chaos."

She said she and her husband were married for 20 years.

"He was a very lovely person, in the house. He loved his children very much, he loved me very much. When he left the house, I asked when he is coming back and he said yes he is coming back and that was the last time we spoke."

Cazaiah said his father was a perfect example of a father, husband and grandfather.

"He always made ends meet for his family, he sacrificed everything for us to be happy. His words always was 'If you're happy then I'm happy'." 

"We have lost a breadwinner, my hero and greatest supporter. He always had put his pride in his pockets to make sure his kids achieve goals.He worked late nights, long hours and early mornings. He would take on extra and spare jobs after longs shifts. My dad was a proud father and he emphasised how proud he was of his children. When my love for drums started he made sure I have everything I need. With my sister and her her boxing and having to compete nationally, he made sure she could go and travel."

Cazaiah said his father's killers not only robbed him of valuables and life, but robbed them of a father, husband and grandfather.

"His life meant nothing to the drug addicts. In their eyes a phone and a few change was valued more than a husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle's life. My dad was robbed of his life and brutally taken from us by these monsters."

Cynthia said three men were arrested for his murder, two appeared in court, "but one is out".