UPDATE: Mbombela anaesthetist found murdered in flat

The search for the missing Mbombela anaesthetist, Dr Nicholas Procter, ended in tragedy on Thursday afternoon, February 1, when his body was found in a flat in Mbombela at about 16:00.

Procter’s family was contacted for comment. They confirmed his death, but have not yet been to officially identify the body, and could not provide any further details or comment.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi, a man’s body was found in a flat with his hands and feet tied. A murder case has been opened.

Procter was reported missing when he had not shown up for work this morning. His vehicle was found later this morning, parked on the Elawini bridge.

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Searches by the Nelspruit police, the White River Flying Squad, the Ehlanzeni Police Diving Unit, SARZA Lowveld, ER24 and local security companies began around the bridge, the Nels River and surrounding bushes.

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By 12:00, the search around the river was called off, and the Nelspruit police, the flying squad and AG Solutions continued a new search around various areas in Mbombela.

Some information led the authorities to a flat on a property near the Elawini bridge, where the body was found. Emer-G-Med declared Procter dead at 16:28.

Nkosi said no arrests have yet been made, however, the police are confident they will make one soon. He said investigations are ongoing.

This is a developing story.

Lowvelder will update its readers as soon as more information becomes available.