Kruger National Park Horror: Retired Couple With Hands Tied Behind Back Found Dead In Crocodile Invested River

An elderly couple from Mossel Bay met a tragic end during a vacation to South Africa’s Kruger National Park. The retired couple were found murdered on May 22.

According to a report by Cape Times, they left their lodging on the day of the incident and were in a forested area sightseeing. The suspects who killed the two allegedly left their bodies in a crocodile-infested river.

Local police were informed about the bodies of Ernst (71) and Dina (73) in the most obscure locations of the Kruger National Park. They had been declared missing since May 20, after they were last seen near the Pafuri picnic area. A large search operation was initiated, lasting 24 hours, but to no avail.

Eventually, it was other tourists who spotted their bodies floating on the river. The couple suffered from severe stab wounds and had their hands tied behind their backs.

Their perpetrators then intentionally threw their bodies in the rivers so that crocodiles could finish them off. The couple was also riding in a 4x4 vehicle that had reportedly been stolen.

An official from the Kruger National Park’s source explained, “It was hoped that they had gone off road and [that their vehicle had] broken down after heavy local floods somewhere, but then we got a call to say two bodies had been found. Both had been stabbed in what was clearly a very brutal attack and had been thrown into the river, no doubt for the crocs, and their 4 x 4 had been stolen, so this is a very major incident for us .”

An anonymous spokesperson from the South African police hinted that the double murder could be a work of smugglers or poachers. The couple would have possibly encountered them at the wrong time.

The source further stated, “Their pickup truck would have been an easy way to transport anything they were carrying if they were smugglers, and there are unfenced ways to get across the river into Mozambique.”

The South African National Parks Management issued a statement which outlined the tragedy. Since the Kruger National Park happens to be a popular tourist spot, the unfortunate double murders have evidently caused quite an uproar and led to worries for safety.

The statement offered a brief timeline of events leading up to the discovery of the bodies of the two deceased people. The management assured complete cooperation with the investigation.

An excerpt from the note read “The next of kin of the deceased have been informed, and the organisation will assist the family with transport to Limpopo as well as accommodation and repatriation costs. Minister Aucamp, the Board and Management of SANParks extend their deepest condolences to the affected family and friends. The matter has now been referred to the Police, who will conduct further investigations, said the Minister. Furthermore, out of respect for the family and to allow investigations to proceed unhindered, no further comment will be provided at this stage.”

One of Ernst and Dina’s neighbors spoke to The Sun and remembered the couple as ones who simply loved going on safaris. The individual remarked, “The police came knocking on their door on Friday morning to see if they had returned from the Kruger early, and then we heard Ernst and Dina had been found dead. They were a lovely couple who loved going on safari, and the residents are all in shock.”