The vehicle Leila Lees and Ethan Kirkland were last seen travelling in was pulled from a ‘watery pit’ in Stellenbosch. Image via Twitter/@SAPoliceService.
The vehicle Leila Lees and Ethan Kirkland were last seen travelling in was pulled from a ‘watery pit’ in Stellenbosch. Image via Twitter/@SAPoliceService.
Police have confirmed that two bodies have been discovered in a pit on the outskirts of Stellenbosch.
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The news came in on Monday afternoon following the disappearance of a young couple over the weekend.
The corners of Bird and Paul Kruger Streets have been cordoned off.
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The pit itself has long been a source of controversy in the local area, with many residents fearing it posed a danger to the community.
Although no cause for the deaths have yet been established, police have so far not ruled out any eventuality.
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Leila Lees, Ethan Kirkland ‘missing since Friday’
The bodies were pulled from a missing car belonging to one of the victims.
Leila Lees (18) and Ethan Kirkland (19), were last seen leaving The Niche apartment block in Stellenbosch at around midnight on Friday. The two were travelling together in a maroon Subaru Forester.
Police had been working to identify where the missing couple went, based on their last-recorded activities.
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A bank transaction just before 23:00 was noted at the Catwalk Club in Stellenbosch.
Then, CCTV footage captured the car outside The Niche apartment block at 23:41.
Teen sweethearts meet a tragic fate in Stellenbosch
The last trace of the pair was found on Ethan’s WhatsApp status, however.
He was last active on the messaging platform at 23:45 – just four minutes after the final sighting of the teens.
Sadly, none of these clues would lead investigators to a happy ending.
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Both the mother of Leila Lees and the grandmother of Ethan Kirkland sent desperate messages out on social media, raising awareness about their missing relatives.
However, their worst fears were confirmed earlier today.
Police and recovery crews remain at the scene.
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Police in the Western Cape have since relayed an official version of events from the scene:
“Earlier this morning at around 10:10, a community member spotted an object in a dam in the city centre and alerted the authorities. The local police members responded and secured the scene, when they noticed the wheels of a motor vehicle – the only part of the car that was visible.”
“The police requested the assistance of SAPS Provincial Diving unit and upon arrival at the scene, after assessing the circumstances, they retrieved the bodies of the two victims from the motor vehicle.” Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi
UPDATE: A short while ago, paramedics were seen retrieving the deceased from the water-filled pit.
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