What started as a desperate search for missing Eric Jones has ended in heartbreak. The 33-year-old Pretoria man, who vanished after leaving work in Pretorius Park, was discovered dead early Saturday morning, just 300 metres from where his car was found abandoned in Diepsloot.
Family, friends, and volunteers who had gathered in hopes of finding him alive instead made the devastating discovery. His body was located in a nearby open field — not far from his locked vehicle, which still contained his personal belongings.
AlsoRead : Where Is Eric Jones?” Panic Grows as 33-Year-Old Disappears in Pretoria
JONES Search Fueled by Hope Ends in Sorrow
Eric’s loved ones had launched their own search mission in Diepsloot after becoming increasingly concerned. “We couldn’t just sit and wait. We needed answers,” said Anthony Kaufmann, Eric’s close friend. He last spoke with Eric at 16:35 on Thursday via WhatsApp — the final communication before Eric’s phone went dead.
New information revealed that Eric visited the Menlyn Maine Casino late Thursday night. CCTV footage reportedly shows him leaving alone in his car around 04:00 on Friday morning. What happened between that moment and the discovery of his vehicle remains a troubling mystery.
His car — found in Diepsloot, a high-crime area — was locked and undisturbed, raising suspicions of foul play or a possible hijacking. Yet, no clear cause of death has been released as police continue to investigate.
Who Was Eric Jones?
Described as kind-hearted and dependable, Eric was 1.75m tall, weighed 75kg, with brown hair and piercing blue eyes. He was last seen wearing navy blue golf pants, a white golf shirt, and a white golf cap — the same outfit he left work in before vanishing.
As investigators process the scene, grief grips the community. “He didn’t deserve this,” said one family member. “We just want justice and answers.”
The Jones family is now urging anyone who may have seen Eric between Thursday night and early Friday morning — especially near Menlyn Maine or Diepsloot — to come forward.
Can You Help Piece Together Jones Final Hours?
If you have any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact: 072 690 0257
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