“THE LAST 48 HOURS…” — What Happened Before DJ Warras’ Sudden de@th Is Raising New Questions
Friends say nothing felt “normal” in the days leading up to the inciden@. Missed calls. Quiet warnings. Unfinished plans.
Now investigators are retracing those final hours — and one overlooked detail is starting to stand out…👇👇
“The Last 48 Hours…” — What Happened Before DJ Warras’ Sudden Death Is Raising New Questions
In the final days leading up to his brutal murder on December 16, 2025, Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock appeared to sense the growing danger surrounding his work. Friends and associates have revealed that nothing felt “normal” in the period immediately before the tragedy—missed calls from concerned contacts, quiet but persistent warnings about threats, and unfinished plans that now haunt those who knew him best.
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Investigators are now meticulously retracing those critical last 48 hours, piecing together a timeline that points to escalating tensions over Zambezi House, the hijacked building in Johannesburg’s CBD where the 40-year-old father of three was gunned down. Just four days before his death—on December 12—Warras secured his latest protection order, bringing the total to at least five (some reports cite six) against individuals linked to the property. These orders stemmed from credible death threats, including warnings that the building would be burned or that he would be harmed if he continued his security interventions.
Warras, through his company Imperium Ops, had been contracted by the building’s lawful owners since early 2025 to audit tenants, install biometric access controls, and deploy CCTV cameras. His team uncovered hazardous conditions: illegal subdivisions, suspected drug paraphernalia, and reports of serious crimes. These actions directly challenged the illicit rental operations run by syndicates, who pocket untaxed income from desperate occupants. Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku confirmed that Warras had been vocal about the threats, describing them as “genuine” and tied to resistance from non-paying tenants and alleged “kingpins.”
Close associates, including business partner Nicole Nelson, have spoken of Warras’s determination despite the risks. He was developing a comprehensive “blueprint” for reclaiming hijacked buildings—verifying legitimate tenants, enhancing security, and coordinating with authorities to restore order. Yet, in the days before December 16, subtle signs of unease emerged. Sources indicate he received ominous communications, ignored certain calls perhaps out of caution, and expressed private concerns about his safety. One overlooked detail now standing out to investigators: Warras may have been on a phone call when he stepped outside Zambezi House that fateful afternoon, momentarily distracted as three assailants rushed him.
CCTV footage captures the chilling sequence—a short man with dreadlocks firing the fatal shots, an accomplice in a security uniform nearby, and a third suspect fleeing. Nothing was stolen, confirming this was a targeted hit, possibly born of long-simmering resentment.
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The aftermath has been marked by swift action. On December 18, a multi-agency raid on Zambezi House—led by Tshwaku—resulted in four to six persons of interest being questioned, many tied to Warras’s protection orders. Authorities identified dozens of illegal occupants and seized evidence, including phones with messages mocking the murder.
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By December 19, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced a breakthrough: a key suspect—described as “known” to police—had been identified, with an arrest expected imminently, possibly over the weekend. This update came amid a emotional memorial service in Sandton, where family, friends, and colleagues gathered to honor Warras. His children movingly described him as their “hero,” while industry peers remembered his mentorship and candid voice on platforms like 5FM, Y FM, and the Shady PHodcast.
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The tragedy has ignited national outrage, amplifying calls to dismantle Johannesburg’s hijacked buildings crisis—estimated at over 1,100 properties fueling organized crime. Politicians like Gauteng’s Kenny Kunene have declared a “war” on hijackers, while others demand stronger protections for those reclaiming urban spaces.
Warras’s family, left devastated with three young children now fatherless, continues to seek answers. Could faster enforcement of those protection orders, heightened personal security, or heeding one more warning have changed the outcome? As probes delve deeper into his final hours, one haunting question lingers: What overlooked detail in those tense last days might have foretold the irreversible turn?
DJ Warras fought tirelessly for a safer Johannesburg. His sudden death not only robbed his loved ones of a pillar of strength but exposed the perilous cost of challenging entrenched crime. As the nation awaits justice, his story serves as a stark reminder that ignored warnings can lead to unthinkable loss.
