Meek murder trial: Crime-scene photographer set to continue testimony

Jayden-Lee Meek, 11, was returning home from school when he disappeared from inside his apartment complex.

The fourth witness, a crime scene photographer, is expected to continue his testimony in the trial of Tiffany Meek, in the Johannesburg High Court sitting in Palm Ridge. 

Meek, 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of her 11-year-old son Jayden-Lee Meek, and to charges of child abuse, defeating the ends of justice, and crimen injuria.

The warrant officer is a crime scene photographer who has 15 years’ experience with the Krugersdorp Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). 

On Monday, the officer took the stand after all photographs from an inspection conducted at Swazi Place in Fleurhof were entered into the record as evidence. 

The inspection, which was conducted in August, was attended by the judge, legal counsel and Meek. 

During his testimony, the officer explained many photographs he took, including ones where Meek is seen standing at the gate of the complex, pointing out the area where Jayden-Lee’s body was found, and in different areas of their home. 

The court was also shown a picture of a K9 dog on Jayden-Lee’s bed. The dog is pictured lying on the bed on top of a red duvet. 

According to the officer, he was informed that if the dog reacted the way it did, it meant he got “a hit”. A hit, he described to the court, meant the area the dog reacted to was positive for body fluid. 

The officer will be completing his testimony and is expected to be cross-examined by Meek’s defence. 

Jayden-Lee was reported missing on May 13, 2025, after he apparently failed to return home from school.

His lifeless, half-naked body was found the next day, near the staircase in the Swazi Place complex, just metres from the front door of his home.

Meek was arrested a month later and has been in custody since, following a failed bail application.