A Mother, A Fighter — Gone Without a Trace
Eudora Bruintjies, a 52-year-old mother of four from East London, South Africa, has been missing since October 25, 2024. Described by her children as “resilient, loving, and dignified,” Eudora lived with epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression — conditions that made her highly dependent on medication.
But on that fateful October evening, she walked out wearing only a pink gown, a freezer jacket, striped dress, white slippers, and a brown beanie — and never came back.
The Last Known Sighting — And the Footage That Disappeared
Her daughter Michaela recalls the events leading up to her disappearance vividly.
“She came to my house, upset. She didn’t want to talk. She said people were fighting with her. Moments later, she walked out and never returned,” she said.
CCTV footage later confirmed Eudora was seen at the Astron Garage in Parkside at 20:35. Two minutes later, her boyfriend appears in the same footage — but according to the family, no one saw him come back.
“This footage was our biggest lead,” Michaela explains. “But the police never fetched it in time. It’s been deleted now. Gone — just like my mother.”
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The case was reported at Buffalo Flats SAPS under case number 1/10/2024, but the family claims critical evidence was ignored.
Despite repeated requests, no immediate action was taken to retrieve CCTV footage, and inconsistencies in witness statements were left unchallenged. “Her boyfriend gave three different stories,” Michaela says. “Even the police admitted things didn’t add up.”
Six months later, the search has gone cold.
“We begged for help — from the police, from the community. Only a small group showed up,” Michaela adds.
“I now believe we’re not looking for a missing person anymore. We’re looking for her body.”
Mental health experts have long warned that vulnerable individuals with psychiatric and neurological conditions are often overlooked by law enforcement systems ill-equipped to respond quickly.
“People with mental illnesses go missing far too often, and families are left to search on their own,” says Dr. Lindiwe Mbele, a mental health advocate. “Time is crucial. Every hour counts. Footage, witnesses, and physical clues degrade or disappear quickly.”
One of the most chilling aspects of Eudora’s disappearance is the silence of the people she lived with.
“How do you live with someone… and not search for them?” Michaela asks, her voice cracking. “In the beginning, I thought they were just tired or scared. Now I believe they know something. There’s no other explanation.”
In the months since Eudora’s disappearance, marches have been organized. Memorandums handed over. Still, no new leads have surfaced.
The family continues to plead for answers, for help, for justice.
“She is not just a missing person. She’s my mother,” says Michaela.
“She deserves more than silence. She deserves to be found.”
You Can Help: Support the Search for Eudora
To help fund the search, transport costs, legal follow-ups, and visibility campaigns, the family has launched a BackaBuddy campaign. Any contribution — big or small — can make a difference in uncovering the truth and getting closure.
👉 Donate and support the search here.
Even if you can’t give, sharing the link could reach someone who knows something.
Have You Seen Eudora Bruintjies?
🧍♀️ Age at Disappearance: 52
📍 Last Seen: Parkside, East London – October 25, 2024
🎥 Last Seen On CCTV: Astron Garage, 20:35
🧥 Clothing: Blue freezer jacket, pink gown, striped dress, black pants, white slippers, brown beanie
📞 Contact SAPS Buffalo Flats – Case #1/10/2024 or message the family directly via this platform
Will You Be Her Voice?
Eudora’s story is more than a statistic. It’s a mother lost. A family shattered. A system exposed.
Don’t let her disappear twice.
📢 Share this story. Demand answers. Be the voice for Eudora Bruintjies.
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