Sniffer dog Achil from the Vryheid K9 Search & Rescue Unit ‘helped out’ in what began as a missing person’s case but later turned into a murder investigation.
The missing person’s case was first filed in Eshowe. Police began investigating and found that six people (including the missing person) were allegedly brutally assaulted by a farm owner on January 18 in the Utrecht/Newcastle area. One of the six victims (the missing person) died in his sleep after the assault. It is said that the farmer was told about the death and in turn sent someone to confirm it. After confirmation of the death, he allegedly instructed the other five assault victims to leave the farm immediately. Continuing with their investigation of the missing person’s case, police discovered that the said person had actually died after the alleged assault.

The Vryheid K9 Search & Rescue Unit, together with the Ladysmith K9 Search & Rescue Unit, was called to hunt around the house for blood where the deceased had lain. It was discovered that some of the stains had been cleaned up, so the dogs didn’t have a concrete and positive reaction. Hence the LCRC was called for further investigation. Police also found an electrical choking machine that was allegedly used to assault people.
A few days later, the investigating officer once again contacted the Vryheid K9 Search & Rescue Unit after he received more information about the victim’s body, which had allegedly been dumped next to Waterval (Newcastle area). It is believed that the body was dumped and set alight. Sniffer dog Achil and Ladysmith K9 dog Storm did a stellar job of finding the remains of the burned body in an open area next to Waterval on January 27.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.