GAUTENG – The bodies of Jessica Rabe (20) and Yudistan Pillay (25) were discovered partially buried under the foundations of a residential property in Van Dyk Park, Boksburg, on 30 August, ending a six-week search that gripped the East Rand community.

The pair were reported missing at the Dawn Park police station on 27 July, after Rabe had allegedly been assaulted and had her cellphone stolen. What began as a missing persons case transformed into a murder investigation when their remains were recovered from beneath a house on Wildevy Crescent.

Extensive search operation

Following the disappearance, an extensive search was launched, also by private investigator Wendy Pascoe and Missing in Southern Africa, working alongside the Van Dyk Park Community Patrollers Initiative (CPI) and Boksburg 911. For weeks, search teams combed the area whilst the victims’ photographs circulated on community WhatsApp platforms.

The breakthrough came on 28 August when investigators received information that led to a full-scale police search and recovery operation at the Wildevy Crescent property. Two days later, police uncovered the bodies in an advanced state of decomposition, partially buried beneath the foundations of a house.

Three suspects arrested

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders and appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on 1 September. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrests and court appearance.

Police however did not state what led to the arrests. The investigation into the murders remains ongoing.

ALSO READ: Murder case opened after body found in Grassy Park shallow grave