A friend of a murdered e.tv journalist has described her alleged killer's behaviour before the incident.

Shadi Rapitso was held hostage on Friday by a man believed to be an SABC employee who stabbed her several times in the neck and then stabbed himself in the chest.

Rapitso's friend, Tankiso Komane, says her neighbour often called crying saying he could not live without her.

Komane says he never appeared to be capable of such a crime.

"She did not want that anymore and she was not even taking his calls anymore. She had even spoken to a psychologist that he needed someone professional to talk to," says Komane.