Chapter 122: A South African Champion Silenced-The Murder of Leighandre 'Baby Lee' Jegels

Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels was a rising star in South African boxing; an undefeated fighter, a national karate champion, and a young woman whose strength inspired thousands. But behind the scenes, she was fighting a far more dangerous opponent. In a case that ignited widespread anger and renewed attention to South Africa’s epidemic of gender-based violence, Leighandre's promising career was cut short by the man who was supposed to love and protect her, and she was failed by the very system designed to keep her safe.If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or gender based violence, you can contact:In South Africa:The Gender Based Violence Command Center hotline [phone] (Call Line) 31531 (Text Line)or visit their website at gbv.org.za The Stop Gender Violence Help Line 0800 150 150 or visit their website at lifelinesa.co.zaIn America:The Domestic Violence Hotline Website call: 800-799-7233Text SAFE to 88788In the UKhttps://www.nationaldahelpline.org.ukor call 0808 2000 247Connect with us on Social Media!You can find us at:Instagram: @bookofthedeadpodX: @bkofthedeadpodFacebook: The Book of the Dead PodcastTikTok: BookofthedeadpodOr visit our website at www.botdpod.comFeaturing a promo for True Crime California:True Crime California is a podcast about crimes that take place in, you guessed it - the great Golden State of California. Brought to you by Cindy, these stories will cover everything from well known crimes we've all heard about, to more obscure stories that need to be told. Listen hereBBC News. (2019, August 31). South Africa policeman arrested over boxing champion’s murder. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-49537070Bcmda, & Bcmda. (2023, November 30). The Leighandre “Babe Lee” Jegels Recreational Park - Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency. Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency -. https://bcmda.org.za/the-leighandre-babe-lee-jegels-recreational-park/Chaput, M. (2019, September 12). Tears flow freely for champ ‘Baby Lee.’ The Herald. https://www.theherald.co.za/news/2019-09-12-tears-flow-freely-for-champ-baby-lee/Confronting South Africa’s crisis of Gender-Based violence. (2024, November 25). Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/25/confronting-south-africas-crisis-gender-based-violenceCrime Desk. (2023, December 10). The Life and Tragic Murder of a Rising Boxing Star Killed in the Middle of Rush Hour Traffic. Medium. https://medium.com/@crimedesk/the-life-and-tragic-murder-of-a-rising-boxing-star-killed-in-the-middle-of-rush-hour-traffic-c2cf023a2ef6Fuzile, M. D. M. Z. a. B. (2019, August 31). EC world champion fighter shot dead. Daily Dispatch. https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2019-08-31-e-cape-champion-boxer-shot-dead/#google_vignetteHauser, T. (2025, October 26). Women in boxing. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/sports/boxing/Women-in-boxingInfluential moments in women’s boxing history. (n.d.). BOXRAW. https://boxraw.com/blogs/blog/influential-moments-in-womens-boxing-history?srsltid=AfmBOorbfAsDGqc1Tyu0Kajqdp_bDPo_wMaVrEG-G3J3tjLoDbFMA7qaJacob, B. (2019, September 1). ‘Baby Lee’ killing: witness tells all. Daily Dispatch. https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2019-09-01-baby-lee-killing-witness-tells-all/Magasela, B. (2020, August 28). Jegels family struggles to accept EL boxer’s death a year on. Daily Dispatch. https://www.dailydispatch.co.za/news/2020-08-28-jegels-family-struggles-to-accept-el-boxers-death-a-year-on/Magasela, B., & Ndamase, M. (2019, September 3). Boxer Leighandre Jegels’s killer dies after car crash. Sowetan. https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-09-03-boxer-leighandre-jegelss-killer-dies-after-car-crash/Maphanga, C. (2019, September 15). “She will always be in our memories and our hearts” - SA boxing champ Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels laid to rest. News24. https://www.news24.com/she-will-always-be-in-our-memories-and-our-hearts-sa-boxing-champ-leighandre-baby-lee-jegels-laid-to-rest-20190915Mhlathi, Y. (2019, September 13). Leighandre’s parents speak out on daughters murder - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world,. SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa\’s news leader. https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/leighandres-parents-speak-out-on-daughters-murder/Mokhine, P. (2016, June 30). Baby Lee eyes world glory. News24. https://www.news24.com/citypress/sport/baby-lee-eyes-world-glory-20160625Moreis, S. (2019, September 2). Man who shot and killed boxing champion Leighandre Jegels dies in hospital. News24. https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/breaking-man-who-shot-and-killed-boxing-champion-leighandre-jegels-dies-in-hospital-20190902New report highlights the stark reality of gender-based violence in South Africa. (2024, December 10). Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation. https://www.dsti.gov.za/index.php/media-room/latest-news/4495-...