Man Who Said 'Gay Ghosts' Made Him Stab His Girlfriend and Baby Is Found Guilty of Murder

Johannes Saul Claasen has been convicted of murdering his girlfriend and attempting to murder their baby daughter after a Namibian court rejected his claim that he had been fighting two 'gay ghosts'. His girlfriend, Ridensia Rolinda Lamberth, 28, died in the attack, while their baby survived.

Judge Usiku found the 39-year-old guilty of murder with direct intent, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm at the High Court at Windhoek Correctional Facility on 2 October 2026. Claasen, from Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia, is due back in court on 21 October for a pre-sentence hearing.

Claasen Described Dream About 'Gay Ghosts'

The attack happened in the early hours of 25 December 2020 in the shack where Claasen and Lamberth lived. Lamberth was fatally stabbed in the chest with a knife, and their baby daughter was also stabbed.

According to local court reporting, Claasen told police that two gay men had appeared in the room and wanted to have sex with him. He said he wrestled with one, took a butcher's knife from beneath the mattress and stabbed him, only to realise he had stabbed Lamberth.

During his trial, Claasen testified that he had dreamed about two 'gay ghosts' and stabbed one while fighting it. He claimed he realised only afterwards that he had stabbed Lamberth and later learnt that their daughter, who had been sleeping on her mother's chest, had also been injured.

Lamberth's older daughter, who was seven at the time of the attack, testified that Claasen took a knife from beneath the mattress and placed it under his pillow. She did not see him stab her mother, but described taking her bleeding baby sister to their grandmother.

The child also described earlier violence, including incidents in which Claasen chased Lamberth with a knife and an assault that left her with a swollen eye.

Usiku Rejected Sleep-Related Defence

The defence relied on evidence from a psychiatrist who diagnosed Claasen with a sleep-related condition described as rapid eye movement sleep disorder with automatism. The psychiatrist concluded that Claasen had been unaware of his actions during the attack.

A separate psychiatric assessment concluded that Claasen was fit to stand trial and could be held criminally responsible for his actions. Usiku rejected the incapacity defence, giving greater weight to the child witness's evidence.

The judge said the child's testimony required caution because of her age, but found it credible and supported by other evidence concerning Claasen's previous violence and threats towards Lamberth.

Usiku also said Claasen's detailed recollection was inconsistent with his claimed lack of awareness. Rejecting his account that he became aware of events only after stabbing Lamberth, the judge said it was 'not reasonably possibly true but false beyond reasonable doubt'.

Court Considered Previous Violence Against Lamberth

The court heard evidence that Claasen had previously assaulted Lamberth and threatened her with a knife. Witnesses also described his distrust of her because of her earlier relationship with the father of her older daughter.

The assault charge concerned an incident in March 2020 in which Claasen struck Lamberth with a fist or open hand, causing bruising and swelling around her eye.

All three charges were read with provisions of Namibia's Combating of Domestic Violence Act. Claasen pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations.

He was represented by Meriam Kandoni, while Maria Shilongo represented the state. Sentencing remains outstanding.