DOCTOR REUNITED WITH TWO SONS WHO SURVIVED HER FAMILY SUICIDE ATTEMPT
Staff Reporter
Johannesburg: The surviving sons of a Johannesburg doctor, who tried to kill them in a family suicide attempt # years ago, have been reunited with her.
The 2 boys were living with their uncle Portugal for the past 2 years. In November 1998, Manuella Costa drugged her 4 sons and then set their luxury Morningside Manor home on fire. 2 of the boys Michael, 11 and Andre,9 , died but rescue workers were able to save Filipe,13 and Daniel,9.
Costa sustained serious burns.
Talking from a friends home yesterday , Costa confirmed that her 2 sons Filipe and Daniel were with her.
Costa was reluctant to talk as she said she wanted to protect her children’s privacy.
The court dismissed al charges against Costa and found that she could not b held accountable for her deeds because of her mental state at that time.
Her husband had committed suicide 2 years before, she had been diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo a double chemotherapy. She was also in deep financial trouble including a Rs. 8 Cr. Judgement against her and she was to be evicted from her home.
Costa has been allowed to continue practicing as a doctor and has over the past 2 years been rebuilding her life. “ I’m very happy. They (her sons) are happy to be with me – they are not ashamed of me.”