Windhoek: The Windhoek High Court has sentenced Roberto McNab to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of his estranged wife, Helen Onesmus, after breaking into her rental townhouse in February 2024.

According to Namibia Press Agency, McNab, aged 38, pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2025. At the time of the murder, McNab and Onesmus were estranged, and Onesmus had reportedly sought a divorce, serving McNab with a combined summons two days before the incident. After stabbing Onesmus 27 times, McNab attempted suicide by cutting his throat and subsequently spent two weeks in the hospital, as the court was informed during the trial.

During sentencing, Judge Marelize Du Plessis highlighted the domestic nature of the murder as an aggravating factor. She stated that in cases of extreme violence, the nature of the offence and community interests take precedence over the personal circumstances of the accused. The objectives of retribution and deterrence were deemed more significant than rehabilitation.

On February 16, 2024, McNab broke into Onesmus's rental townhouse in Rocky Crest with the intention of killing her. In his defense, McNab testified that he was a first-time offender, employed as a rigger in Luanda, Angola, earning a monthly salary of N. dollars 25,000. He also stated that he has no children and was financially supporting his younger brother's tertiary education.

Court documents revealed that the couple married in July 2022. During cross-examination by Deputy Prosecutor General Maria Shilongo, McNab admitted that by July 2023, their marriage had deteriorated, and they were living separately. McNab was represented by Rennie Strauss.