Marli van Breda has managed to blink in response to questions - a technique which police hope will help find the brutal killers who murdered her family.
Attackers cut the South African teenager with an axe in her head and throat, leading her with a severed jugular and severe head injuries.
They also killed her mother Teresa, 54, father Martin, 55, and her brother Rudi, 22.
Her other brother Henri, 20, managed to escape with light injuries and rang the police to report the incident.
Audio recordings of Henri calling the police initially raised suspicion, as he appeared to be ‘giggling’ as he recounted the bloody attack. He is now living with an uncle in South Africa, and is said to be 'heartbroken' by the incident.
The community of Stellenbosch, just outside Cape Town, South Africa, has been shocked by the brutal murders, that took place at the end of January.
Since being admitted to hospital, Marli is thought to have undergone brain surgery and is now starting rehabilitation. This will be a long process however, given the extent of her injuries.