Less than a week after the discovery of Mbombela anaesthetist Dr Nicholas Procter’s body, a major breakthrough has been made in the investigation into his murder.

Procter (40), an associate of Nelanest Anaesthetic Association at Mediclinic Nelspruit, was found dead in a Mbombela flat last Thursday afternoon, with his hands and feet tied up.

According to provincial police spokesperson Captain Magonseni Nkosi, three men were taken in for questioning this morning. Nkosi said they are between the ages of 20 and 38.

Procter was first reported missing on Thursday morning when he failed to show up for work at Mediclinic Nelspruit.

His vehicle was spotted later that morning parked on the bridge near Elawini, and a search by local police, emergency medical services and security companies was immediately launched around the bushes and the Nels River near the bridge.

This search was called off at about 12:00, while the Nelspruit Police, the White River Flying Squad and AG Solutions continued to search for Procter in other areas in and around Mbombela.

The investigation led the authorities to a flat on an estate later that afternoon, where Procter’s body was found. He was declared dead by Emer-G-Med at 16:28.

iSecure’s general manager Hendrik Botha alleges that last Wednesday night, Procter and another individual had a business arrangement in a vacation rental unit on the estate. iSecure is the security company for the estate.

Botha said both parties had a gate code to enter and exit the estate, generated by the owner of the vacation rental apartment. He said the parties arrived at different times and access control procedures were followed. He said when one of the parties left the estate, these procedures were again followed.

Tributes for Procter have been pouring in from many of his friends and colleagues.

The investigation remains ongoing and the police expressed optimism regarding potential arrests.