Missing Stellenbosch teen couple found dead

Western Cape police confirmed that the bodies of a male and a female has been recovered from a motor vehicle on Monday 24 October 2022 which landed in a dam in Paul Kruger Street in Stellenbosch.

18-year-old Leila Lees and 19-year-old Ethan Kirkland were reported missing on Saturday At the time, the police’s Andre Traut said the pair were last seen at The Niche apartment block at about 5pm on Friday. They were driving in Kirkland’s maroon Subaru Forester.

PICTURE - SAPS: Leila Lees and Ethan Kirkland 

On Monday, the police’s Joseph Swartbooi said a community member spotted an object in a dam in the city centre and alerted the authorities.

‘’Earlier this morning [Monday] at around 10:10, 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, 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,’’ added Warrant Officer, Joseph Swartbooi.

Western Cape SAPS urged anyone with information of what led to the discovery to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111

 

Done By: Mitchum George