A true crime book with compelling cases
Dr Hestelle van Staden has her own TV show, Outopsie on Via
Foreword by topselling author, Gerard Labuschagne
Shout by lt. col Mike van Aardt, top and well-known policeman
Been interviewed on various media platforms, Mandy Wiener, True Crime South Africa, news24 etc
She is a lector at Wits in pathology

Foreword by topselling author, Gerard Labuschagne. Shout by lt. col. Mike van Aardt, investigator of many other high profile cases.

A criminal's fate is often sealed by what is found on the autopsy table and the work of Dr Hestelle van Staden has been crucial in the conviction of numerous criminals. As one of South Africa's leading forensic pathologists, Van Staden has conducted over 7 000 autopsies. She has seen the worst South Africa has to offer, and has become the voice of numerous murder victims.

In Blood Has a Voice, she walks us through nine of her most compelling cases. There is the tragic story of baby Letitia Meyer, whose mother alleged she fell from her pram; the unexplained death of a young mother during labour; and the case of the musician, Lucky Dube, who was shot and killed . . .

Blood Has a Voice provides a rare glimpse into the fascinating world of the forensic pathologist and the quiet heroism behind their unsung work.

Dr Hestelle van Staden knew she was different from a young age, wanting to become not only a medical doctor, but specifically a forensic pathologist. After obtaining her medical degree from the University of Pretoria, she did the required years to register as a medical practitioner and worked in private medicine for a bit. The pull towards forensic pathology remained strong, though, and she started specialising in 2006, this time at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she is still employed.
Having performed more than 7 000 autopsies, there’s not a lot she hasn’t seen. She is featured in the Afrikaans television series Outopsie, which gives viewers a glimpse of her professional world. It is her belief that one should always retain one’s humanity and compassion, although she is the first to be able to laugh at herself, all the while being her own harshest critic.
Hestelle loves teaching and training doctors, students and other legal and medical professionals, and is forever grateful that she can practise the occupation she loves.
The only thing Hestelle is more passionate about than her work is her family and her dog (and currently maybe upping her tennis game), although she believes that enjoying the good things in life (good food, beautiful music, excellent books) is important to create a balanced life.
She lives in Johannesburg with her two children and beloved sausage dog.
‘Grace and grit’ is the quote that sums her up most accurately.