The police have not provided clear answers about a glaring contradiction in two media statements relating to the disappearance of a British woman who was reportedly last seen at Cape Town International Airport.

Naomi Gaynor Bernes (62) made headlines earlier this week after the Western Cape Missing Persons Bureau issued a public appeal on 14 June, asking for assistance in locating the UK national who had apparently checked in for a flight home on 20 April but never boarded the aircraft. She had been formally reported missing on 12 May, after UK authorities failed to contact her.

Upon an initial media enquiry, the police confirmed it was working jointly with Interpol to trace Bernes, following a request from a family member in the United Kingdom.

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Yesterday (17 June), the police issued an update stating that the investigation had been concluded and that Bernes had passed away on 29 January due to natural causes, with her death confirmed through the attorney responsible for the administration of her estate.

The announcement immediately raised the question: if Bernes died on 29 January, how was she recorded as checking in at Cape Town International Airport nearly three months later, on 20 April?

Questions go unanswered

NovaNews sent another media enquiry to the Western Cape police media liaison office, asking for clarification on the contradiction between the two official media statements. The questions included whether the police believed another individual had used Bernes’ passport and travel documents to check in at the airport in her name and whether CCTV footage had been reviewed to establish who physically presented her documents at the check-in counter.

The response did not address any of the questions posed. “Kindly be advised that the case you are referring to is still under investigation and due to the sensitive nature this office cannot elaborate further on this matter,” Capt FC van Wyk said.

The response itself introduces yet another contradiction: the police statement of 17 June stated unequivocally that the investigation had been “finalised” and that “all necessary enquiries were completed,” yet the response received the following day stated that the case remains open.

CCTV footage never requested

Adding to the concern, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed in an earlier enquiry by this publication that it had not been approached by the police for CCTV footage to assist in tracing Bernes’ movements at the airport, despite the 20 April check-in apparently being the last known activity recorded under her name.

Standard investigative procedure in a missing persons case involving an airport typically includes a review of security footage to confirm the physical presence and identity of the individual in question.

It remains unclear whether the police subsequently approached ACSA for footage, or whether the investigation was concluded without this step being taken.

Unknown

It is not yet clear who, if anyone, used Bernes’ travel documents at Cape Town International Airport on 20 April, where she died, or whether a death certificate was issued.

The police have not confirmed whether the apparent use of her identity at the airport is being investigated as a possible criminal matter, including identity fraud or document fraud, nor whether her death was independently verified beyond the estate attorney cited in the official statement.