UPDATE:
SAPS have confirmed that the bodies of a male and a female, recovered from a motor vehicle on Monday 24 October 2022, have been identified as those of Leila Lees (18) and Ethan Kirkland (19).
UPDATE:
CCTV footage, believed to be of Leila and Ethan’s crash, is circulating on WhatsApp. The tape is dated Friday 21 October 2022, at 11.49pm. This is the same date the couple was last seen before being reported as missing.
The footage matches the scene where the teens and the car were discovered on Monday: a dam located just off Paul Kruger Street in Stellenbosch.
The vehicle is seen turning the corner quickly onto Paul Kruger Street, before crashing through the fence.
Cape {town} Etc has contacted the SAPS for confirmation.
Trigger warning. Sensitive content.
CCTV footage of Stellenbosch students’ crash. pic.twitter.com/9aaSSyiz7F
— Robyn (inthe) Hood (@robynhoodcpt) October 26, 2022
UPDATE:
Footage of the vehicle that Leila Lees (18) and Ethan Kirkland (19) were found in is circulating on WhatsApp. Police have recovered both bodies.
The SAPS said: “The bodies of a male and a female have been recovered from a motor vehicle today, Monday 24 October 2022, which landed in a dam off Paul Kruger Street in Stellenbosch.
“Earlier this morning at around 10.10am, a community member spotted an object in a dam in the city centre and alerted the authorities. The local police members responded and secured the scene, when they noticed the wheels of a motor vehicle, which was the only part of the vehicle that was visible.
“The police requested the assistance of the SAPS Provincial Diving unit and upon arrival at the scene, after assessing the circumstances, they retrieved the bodies of the two victims from the motor vehicle. Both victims were declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. Stellenbosch police registered an inquest for further investigation.”
Anyone with information on what led to the discovery is kindly requested to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Car hauled from quarry after two Stellenbosch teens, missing since Friday, found deceased. pic.twitter.com/zvqnwSEV8r
— Robyn (inthe) Hood (@robynhoodcpt) October 24, 2022
UPDATE:
The bodies of two Stellenbosch students, Leila Lees (18) and Ethan Kirkland (19), were found in the vehicle.
The circumstances surrounding cause of death is still unknown. Further investigations are underway.
Our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of these teenagers.
UPDATE:
Police have found the red/maroon Subaru Forester that Leila Lees (18) and Ethan Kirkland (19) were last seen in on Friday night. The vehicle was in a quarry in the area.
The corners of Bird and Paul Kruger Streets have been cordoned off.
It is unclear if the couple is in the car. Police and fire and rescue officials are at the scene.
A Cape Town mom has taken to social media hoping to find her daughter Leila Lees (18) and Ethan Kirkland (19).
If seen or if you have information:
- Call: 082 522 1912 (Sergeant Mack) / 072 214 7439 (Pink Ladies)
They were last seen on Friday night in Stellenbosch at about midnight. They were in a dark red/maroon Subaru Forester. License plate: CA 280-247.
- Bank statements: Catwalk (nightclub in Stellenbosch), 10.59pm.
- CCTV footage of the car: 11.41pm at The Niche.
- WhatsApp last seen: 11.45pm (Ethan).
Missing Minors The Pink Ladies Organization shared the following:
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Pictures: Supplied