Tragic end to search for Port Alfred man
Body of 78-year-old found on beach
Police opened an inquest docket after the body of Port Alfred resident Jack Jessen, 78, was recovered along the town’s coastline on Friday February 16. The police do not suspect foul play.
Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy confirmed that Jessen’s body was recovered. He said it is believed that the Wesley Heights resident went missing while on his daily walk to West Beach on Thursday February 15.
Earlier on Friday, around 40 residents volunteered to help search for Jessen, who was last seen in the Wesley Heights area on Thursday morning.
Co-ordinating the search along and around Beach Road was Colonel Yogan Reddy of the SAPS, a Multi-Security armed response team and a group of concerned citizens.
“The lifeless body was found along the shoreline at about 2pm,” McCarthy said. Jessen’s body was recovered near Rufane River mouth, on East Beach.
Ward 10 councillor Nadine Haynes who had rallied community members to help with the search, said the number of people who came to help showed the town was a united community.
Led by Reddy and Multi Security’s Fred Cannon, the parties split up to search from West Beach to Kelly’s Beach; from Kelly’s Beach to Shelly’s Beach; West Beach Drive and the adjacent bush; and the area around Kiddie’s Beach, in Beach Road.
Jessen’s habit was to leave early in the morning for a walk from his Wesley Hill home, turning before the traffic light on to West Beach drive. He would walk down to West Beach and sit on a bench at Guido’s restaurant.
Haynes said she understood that Jessen suffered from Meniere’s syndrome, an inner-ear disorder that causes episodes of vertigo.
While he had his cellphone with him, it had either been switched off or run flat. He had left his valuables next to his bed at home, Haynes said.
He had been seen walking on his own along Beach Road, near Kiddie’s Beach, towards West Beach at 6am on Thursday.
After Jessen’s body was found at East Beach, Haynes said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Glenda and his family both here and abroad.”
In a subsequent social media post, the councillor thanked officials and the community for coming together.
Haynes said those involved in the search operation included senior SAPS officers, representatives of Multi, Sky and Panther security, Ndlambe Municipality’s community safety department staff, Ndlambe fire and emergency services, CPF members, Port Alfred community members, a specialised dog unit from East London and a drone operator.
“Within 90 minutes, the operation ended in the tragic discovery of Jessen’s body, which had been washed up on the East Beach near Rufane River Mouth,” Haynes said. “On behalf of his family and friends, I would like to once again, thank each and every one of you who took part in this combined effort.”