A second suspect who was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a couple from Mooi River, KZN, Tony (73) and Jill (78) Dinnis, has been released from custody.

The man, in his 30s, was expected to appear in the Mooi River Magistrate’s Court but the case was not enrolled. He was released and the docket sent back to police for further investigation.

He was arrested on Friday, at his home near Middelrus farm in Mooi River.

When he arrived at court yesterday, one of his family members broke down in tears at seeing him in leg irons.

On Monday, a 22-year-old man who had been arrested in connection with the case was also released.

The couple went missing from their rented cottage at the Middelrus farm in Mooi River on August 27 and initially a missing persons case was opened.

However, after a ransom demand was received, police initiated a kidnapping case.

According to a reliable police source, based on the merits of information received, detectives are now investigating the possibility that the elderly couple may have been murdered.

It has been 24 days since the couple was last seen alive.

Over the weekend, police from various units including search and rescue officers with sniffer dogs searched in different areas near the couple’s rented cottage. The search was, however, unsuccessful.