Gabriela Kabrins Alban Gabriela Kabrins Alban
Carlo Petersen
The family of slain US businesswoman Gabriela Kabrins Alban, who was recently found dead in a room at a luxury Camps Bay hotel, have spoken fondly of their daughter after her funeral.
Alban, 39, who was known to her friends and relatives as "Gaby" was buried at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles on Sunday.
According to media reports, police had found a large amount of cocaine and a bloodied curling iron at the scene on July 29.
Alban, who lived in Brentwood and graduated from Beverly Hills High School and Pepperdine University, had been in Cape Town with her boyfriend Diego Novella, 43, who has since been charged for her murder.
The Alban family’s legal representative ENSafrica released a statement on behalf of the family on Monday.
“Gaby was a loving, clean-living, smart, stylish and successful woman. She was a joy to her family and friends, all of whom will miss her grievously.
“We have taken our Gaby home to Los Angeles to bury and mourn her in accordance with the beliefs and traditions of her Jewish faith. We are committed to return to Cape Town as soon, and as often, as may be required to assist in seeking justice for Gaby.
“Our beautiful Gaby will live in our hearts forever.”
The statement is attributed to her mother and stepfather, Doris Weitz and Alexander Williams of Los Angeles and father and stepmother, Howdy and Linda Kabrins of Malibu.
On the night Alban was found dead, police arrested Novella who was found walking “semi-naked and disoriented” on Camps Bay beach.
His attorney, William Booth, had expressed concern about "drug-dealing" being reported in the media.
Novella made his third appearance in Cape Town Magistrates Court on Friday last week.
Booth made a request for Novella to be moved to a single cell at Good wood Prison, saying his client had been robbed and bullied for money in the holding cells at Pollsmoor Prison.
Novella had initially been treated in the hospital section of the notorious prison.
Booth said Novella had collapsed at least three times following his arrest.
On Friday, the court ruled that Novella be remanded back to the hospital section until further arrangements can be made.
He is expected back in court on Friday this week for a possible bail application.
“We wish to acknowledge and thank all who have displayed great courtesy and kindness toward us in South Africa as we journeyed to Cape Town to retrieve our beloved Gaby and to assist in the process of seeking justice for her murder,” the family’s statement reads.
The family thanked the provincial Director of Public Prosecutions and his deputy, SAPS, forensic pathologists, the United States Consulate General in Cape Town, and staff at two local hotels as well as an international airline.
In an obituary published online, Alban is described as an entrepreneur, who spoke three languages and co-founded an award-winning Hispanic marketing agency, Conexión.
She was also managing partner with award-winning author and TV personality Hola Martín.
“Gaby was passionate about her work, her family and especially her dogs, Teddy and Chica. She was incredibly talented, passionate, hard-working, and always willing to share her knowledge with others.
“She served on former LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's communications team and earned numerous awards within the Latin business community, including a Mujeres Destacadas (Outstanding Women) Award from La Opinión.”
Friends and family described Alban as “a ray of light, a role model, beautiful, warm, caring, creative, and one of the sweetest, most genuine people you could have known.
“Gaby had a huge heart, was generous with her time and was always there to help the people that she loved. She had a very special relationship with her grandparents, Herman and Sofia Weitz, with whom she lived for a time.
“Gaby's family credits her with saving her grandmother's life when, sensing something was not right when they were in the car, she changed direction and took her directly to the emergency room.”
Alban is survived by Weitz, Williams, Howdy and Linda Kabrins, her three stepsisters and numerous other extended family members.
carlo.petersen@inl.co.za