Two bodies retrieved from vehicle believed to be of missing Stellenbosch couple

Cape Town – Police on Monday retrieved two bodies from a wreck matching the description of a vehicle driven by a Stellenbosch couple who went missing on Friday.

In a statement, police confirmed that two bodies – male and female – had been recovered from a motor vehicle, which landed in a dam in Paul Kruger Street in Stellenbosch.

According to police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, a community member informed the police about an object at the dam around 10:00 on Monday morning.

“The local police members responded and secured the scene, when they noticed the wheels of a motor vehicle, which was the only part of the vehicle that was visible.

“The police requested the assistance of SAPS Provincial Diving unit and upon arrival at the scene, and after assessing the circumstances, they retrieved the bodies of the two victims from the motor vehicle.

“Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. Stellenbosch police registered an inquest for further investigation,” said Swartbooi.

#sapsWC Stellenbosch #SAPS investigate the disappearance of Leila Lees (18) & Ethan Kirkland (22). The pair was last seen in Stellenbosch at around 17:00 on 21/10/22 driving a maroon Subaru Forester reg: CA280247. Any1 with info, contact #CrimeStop on 0860010111. #Missing TM pic.twitter.com/oREWgfloPH

— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) October 23, 2022

He said that anyone with information on what led to the discovery was kindly requested to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Stellenbosch police confirmed on Sunday that they were investigating the disappearance of Leila Lees, 18 and Ethan Kirkland 22.

The couple was last seen in Stellenbosch driving a maroon Subaru Forester on Friday afternoon, police said.