A retired married couple were found stabbed to death and dumped in a crocodile-infested river in a South African national park, with police suspecting they may have been killed after encountering poachers.
Ernst Marais, 71, and his wife Dina, 73, were discovered early Friday in the Limpopo River inside Kruger National Park. Both had multiple stab wounds and their hands were bound behind their backs.
Their bodies were found by visiting tourists who had been observing wildlife, including a herd of elephants crossing the vast 7,579-square-mile reserve.
Ernst Marais, 71, and his wife Dina, 73, were discovered Friday morning with multiple stab wounds and their hands bound behind their backs.
The slain pair had travelled more than 1,100 miles from their retirement village in Mossel Bay to spend a week at the renowned national park. They were reported missing on Thursday morning after a maid at their safari camp raised the alarm, prompting a search.
“It was hoped that they had gone off the road and broken down after heavy local floods somewhere, but then we got a call to say two bodies had been found,” a national park source said.
“Both had been stabbed in what was clearly a very brutal attack and had been thrown into the river, no doubt for the crocs,” the source added, noting that their four-by-four vehicle was also stolen.
“This is a very major incident for us. This is an extremely safe national park and this has shocked us all.”
Horrified tourists spotted the bodies floating in the Limpopo River and alerted authorities.
A South African police source believes the couple may have encountered a ruthless group of poachers who allegedly killed them to prevent them from reporting the illegal operation.
The insider claims the attackers repeatedly stabbed the couple in the upper body, tied their hands behind their backs, and then dragged them to the river before dumping them in the water.
“Their pick-up truck would have been an easy way to transport anything they were carrying if they were smugglers, and there are unfenced routes to cross the river into Mozambique,” the source said.
“A large manhunt is underway, with investigators working on the assumption the suspects may already have left Kruger.”
