Man found in burning car identified as Dave Petzer from Kinross

Police have opened an inquest and are waiting for the post mortem report to determine the cause of death

July 15, 2018

Arisja Misselhorn 1 minute read

Mr Dave Petzer died in Kinross last week.

KINROSS – The body that was found inside a burning car in Kinross just after midnight on Friday 6 July, was identified as that of 61-year-old Mr Dave Petzer from Kinross.

According to the police, Mr Petzer’s landlord heard dogs barking and when he went outside to investigate, he discovered Mr Petzer’s car ablaze in the driveway of the house in Main Street near Kisme.

Mr Alf Byleveldt from Jelani Security was on the scene to extinguish the flames.

He saw the person in the driver’s seat was reclining and did not move. StratconRisk and ER24 were also on the scene.

W/O Johan Thusi said police opened an inquest and are waiting for the post mortem report to determine the cause of death.

The detective investigating Mr Petzer’s death, MW/O Vusiabena, said as a formality the forensic laboratory in Pretoria will be taking DNA samples from Mr Petzer’s relatives to confirm that it was indeed Mr Petzer who was inside the car.

Mr Petzer told his daughter, Ms Marlieze Rudman, who lives in De Aar, that he was going to start work at Sasol in March.

He was visiting her in De Aar at the time. She described her father as an introvert who did not easily share his feelings or worries with others.

“But I know he loved me dearly,” said Ms Rudman.

W/O Mabena said the cause of death and what had caused the fire must still be investigated.

He asked that anyone who might have seen or heard anything or have information about Mr Petzer’s whereabout that evening or of the incident that night, to contact him at 082 499 6918.