“THE FINAL HOURS” — Inside DJ Warras’ Family Struggle After the Tragic de@th
Friends and family recall the last day DJ Warras spent with his children — small moments of laughter, hugs, and normalcy now overshadowed by the sudden tragedy.
Investigators are piecing together his movements and communications in those hours, but one critical detail remains unclear. Could understanding that moment reveal a side of the story no one has seen yet?
👇 Full timeline, family insights, and emerging theories are in the comments
“THE FINAL HOURS” — Inside DJ Warras’ Family Struggle After the Tragic Death
On December 16, 2025, South Africa was stunned by the brutal murder of Warrick Stock, better known as DJ Warras—a beloved radio personality, club DJ, television host, podcaster, and outspoken media figure. The 40-year-old was gunned down in broad daylight in Johannesburg’s CBD, outside the Zambezi Building near the Carlton Centre, where he had been involved in security operations for a hijacked property.
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DJ Warras, often called “The Shady Lurker,” built a dynamic career from humble beginnings in Durban. He rose through the ranks at YFM, hosted iconic shows like Live AMP on SABC1, moved to 5FM, and co-hosted the popular Shady PHodcast with DJ PH, known for its candid social commentary. Beyond entertainment, he was a mentor to emerging talents and a passionate advocate for South African culture.
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Friends and family recall his final day as one of ordinary resolve mixed with the warmth that defined him. Warras spent the morning and early afternoon at the Zambezi Building, supervising the installation of new security measures as part of efforts to reclaim hijacked properties—a cause he championed despite the risks. Colleagues describe him as determined, stepping in where others hesitated, driven by a sense of duty to address urban decay and crime.
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PICTURES: This is where DJ Warras was murdered | The Citizen
Those close to him remember small moments of normalcy overshadowed now by tragedy: phone calls checking in with loved ones, plans for the festive season, and his trademark laughter. Just days earlier, he had jokingly referenced surviving December on social media, unaware of the irony. He spent time with his three young sons in the days leading up, sharing hugs, stories, and the playful energy that made him a devoted father. “My father was my hero,” his eldest son Ethan tearfully shared at the memorial, capturing the deep bond Warras nurtured despite his busy life.
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As he exited the building that afternoon, three suspects approached. CCTV footage captured a man with dreadlocks opening fire before fleeing. Warras attempted to run but collapsed across the street. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. Police quickly opened a murder investigation, reviewing communications and movements in his final hours—phone records, meetings at the site, and potential threats linked to his security work.
Investigators are piecing together the timeline: prior protection orders Warras filed against individuals connected to hijacked buildings, reports of death threats, and his outspoken nature on podcasts and social media. Two suspects were arrested days later, with more sought. Yet one critical detail remains unclear— the exact motive and whether it was a targeted hit tied to his anti-crime efforts or something more personal. Could deeper insight into his last communications or encounters reveal a hidden side, perhaps overlooked disputes or warnings he dismissed?
The family has been left shattered. In a statement, they described Warras as the “heart and anchor,” a devoted son, proud father, brother, and uncle whose senseless death left them “devastated and broken.” His three young children, mother, and siblings face an unimaginable holiday season, grappling with grief while protecting the boys from graphic details circulating online.
Memorial and funeral services drew crowds of colleagues, friends, and fans. At the December 19 memorial, tributes highlighted his fearlessness—Pearl Thusi comforted the children, assuring them of his enduring presence. Sizwe Dhlomo praised his anti-corruption stance. The funeral on December 23 at Immaculate Conception Church in Rosebank was emotional, with calls to “fight for our home” echoing Warras’s patriotism. Podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa lamented the gaps in law enforcement that forced citizens like Warras into dangerous roles.
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Fan reactions flooded social media with shock, calls for justice, and celebrations of his legacy—streams of Shady PHodcast episodes surged, old radio clips resurfaced. Minister Gayton McKenzie and others mourned the loss of a creative force.
As Christmas Eve arrives, the family clings to memories of laughter and hugs from his final hours, now eternally bittersweet. Warras lived fully, loved deeply, and challenged boldly. His death underscores South Africa’s crime crisis, but his light endures through his children, music, and the voices he amplified.
The investigation continues, with hopes that clarity on that elusive detail will bring accountability. For now, a nation grieves a star silenced too soon.
