A 15-year-old boy who had been reported missing in Stanford was found dead in the Klein River. Police believe he drowned there on Tuesday 22 September.
According to police the boy’s mother had reported him missing at Stanford Police Station the same day.
She told them at about 10:15 two of her son’s friends arrived at their home and asked him to accompany them to a nearby playing field to spend time together.
“The mother realised late that evening that her son [was] not at home and she reported him missing,” Capt Frederick van Wyk of Hermanus police said.
Police interviewed the two friends during their initial investigation. They told officers then they had been together at the sports field but then left the boy behind.
The following morning, the 23rd, detectives continued their investigation and again interviewed the two friends.
The police said the two admitted they had been at the river with the boy and had seen him swimming before he disappeared beneath the water.
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They subsequently pointed out the area where they had last seen him.
There was no indication of foul play and no crime was suspected at the time of posting.
Furthermore, the Police Diving Unit was contacted to aid in the search.
Divers later located the boy’s body in the river. He was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
A sad community
The Stanford Community Policing Forum (CPF) released a statement confirming the teenager’s death. It confirmed his body had been recovered from the river at approximately 11:15 on Thursday 23 September.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his parents, family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,” the forum stated. “We ask that the family’s privacy be respected as they grieve over this heartbreaking loss.”
An inquest was registered and the circumstances surrounding his death were being investigated.
Members of the community who wished to support the family by donating food parcels were kindly asked to contact Ros Nale on 078 693 4046.
Police had not released the identity of the boy.
