Missing PE teacher Jayde Panayiotou found dead

According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Miranda Mills, Panayiotou’s body was discovered by a police helicopter at about 10am on Wednesday morning.

“The helicopter participating in the search for her noticed an object in an isolated area near KwaNobuhle Township in Uitenhage. Further investigation by members on the ground led to the recovery of the body of Ms Panayiotou in the area spotted from the helicopter,” Mills said.

A postmorterm will be carried out to determine the cause of her death while Panayiotou’s abductors and killers are still being sought.

Community members and police continued to search throughout the night for the 28-year-old teacher, who was allegedly abducted on Tuesday morning in Kabega Park area of Port Elizabeth.

An undisclosed amount of money was later withdrawn from her bank account. On Wednesday, her family offered a R150 000 reward for her safe return.

On Tuesday night, images of the Life Orientation teacher from Riebeek College Girls’ High School in Uitenhage flooded Twitter and Facebook as her family tried to find her.

The school’s principal, Marilyn Woods, said Panayioutou’s colleagues had been left traumatised by the news of her death.

“She was a special, special young lady. She was an exemplary teacher who always went the extra mile for her children,” a saddened Woods said.

– Caxton News Service