Gabriel Batista, 59, disappeared last week while crossing the Komati River in northeastern South Africa. Now, authorities have provided a grim update after his remains were reportedly found inside a large crocodile
The businessman was attempting to cross the Komati River when tragedy struck. Authorities confirmed that his car became stuck on a low bridge, and when police arrived at the scene, the vehicle was empty, according to a statement from Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo to SABC.
A search operation was launched, and after four days, authorities located a 14-foot-9-inch, 1,100-pound Nile crocodile with a noticeably swollen stomach. The massive reptile was shot from a helicopter before being airlifted out of the river.
A post-mortem examination later confirmed that the crocodile had human remains inside its stomach. According to sources cited by The Telegraph, investigators found two arms, part of a rib cage, and pieces of flesh believed to belong to Batista.
“Gabriel was a lovely guy and a family man”
Capt. Johan “Pottie” Potgieter, who led the police dive unit, said: “I don’t want to go into too much detail but there was enough inside the stomach to lead us to believe the crocodile ate the missing man. But we will have to wait until the DNA results come back to confirm it,” according to VT.
He added: “Besides having a massively full tummy, he didn’t move around or try to slip into the river despite the noise of the drones and the chopper.”
Whether Batista drowned before being eaten by the crocodile or was killed during the attack remains unclear.
Batista owned the local Border Country Inn and sports bar in the area, and those close to him described him as a beloved family man.
“Gabriel was a lovely guy and a family man… he spent a lot of time up here and customers loved him,” a spokesman said, according to VT.
“He lived in Johannesburg but owned this guest house and bar and spent a lot of time here and was on his way to work on Monday when he was just swept away.
“The family do not want to say anything until the DNA results have been done. It is just terrible and his wife has been here every day with the police diving team.
“It is a nightmare but at the moment there is no family comment.”
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