In South Africa, three individuals have been convicted of murdering British botanists Rod and Rachel Saunders. Following their demise, the couple’s remains were reportedly cast into the Tugela River, inhabited by crocodiles, as reported by The Times of India.
RIA Novosti
Rod and Rachel Saunders disappeared in February 2018 while on a trip through the KwaZulu-Natal province, where they were searching for rare gladiolus species. The couple owned Silverhill Seeds in Cape Town and were well-regarded within the botanical community.
The court found 44-year-old Sayefudin Del Vecchio, his 34-year-old wife Bibi Patel, and the couple’s lodger, 40-year-old Moussa Jackson, guilty. They were charged with two counts of murder, kidnapping, robbery, and theft.
Investigators determined that the perpetrators abducted the couple and, under duress, compelled them to divulge their banking information. After the murders, the bodies were wrapped in sleeping bags, placed in a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser, transported to the Tugela River, and thrown from a bridge to conceal the crime.
The identities of the deceased were confirmed through DNA analysis and dental records. Investigators identified the suspects after they unlawfully used the Saunders’ bank cards, spending approximately 734,000 South African rand.
During searches of the suspects’ residences, investigators discovered the victims’ phones, jewelry, laptops, camping gear, and the stolen vehicle. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for June 19th.
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