Family left devastated after the discovery of Coleen Thaver's remains
After weeks of searching, the body of 35-year-old Coleen Thaver, who had been missing since March 22, 2025, was found, and a suspect has been arrested in connection with her death. Thaver was last seen by her family before vanishing without a trace, prompting them to file a missing persons report with the Umkomaas South African Police Service (SAPS).
The search for Thaver, which included efforts from Renegades Search & Rescue, ended in tragedy when her remains were discovered. A suspect known to Thaver was arrested shortly after the discovery, sparking further heartbreak for her family.
Dawn Gounden, a spokesperson for the family, shared the emotional toll the discovery had taken: "The family is devastated by the finding of Coleen's body. The suspect had misled them several times in an attempt to divert suspicion away from himself."
The arrest was made possible by the diligent work of Umkomaas SAPS detectives, including Detective Ramlal and Detective Arumugam, who worked tirelessly to gather crucial information from the community regarding Thaver’s last known whereabouts. Gounden praised their efforts, stating, "The detectives were instrumental in seeking justice for the family and providing them with closure."
Thaver is survived by her son, sister, and a close-knit network of family and friends. The family is now seeking justice, with the accused's official bail application scheduled for April 15, 2025, at the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court. The family has urged the community of Umkomaas and organizations focusing on gender-based violence to support their cause and oppose bail for the suspect.
"They express their gratitude to all involved, especially the detectives from Umkomaas SAPS, for offering them some relief and closure," Gounden added.
SAPS has been approached for further comment on the investigation.