Missing trio: body of boy, 2, recovered from gorge

The body of a two-year-old Herolds Bay boy who went missing with his mother and sister was recovered yesterday afternoon, Southern Cape police have confirmed.

“The news was broken to the dad earlier today,” said spokesperson, Captain Malcolm Pojie.

“We held off on [releasing the information] because we considered his feelings.”

Pojie said the body was found floating in a gorge near where their VW Caravelle was discovered earlier.

“The body was recovered and removed by pathology services and taken to the mortuary.”

Hugo Scheepers, mother Heidi and daughter Cuzette, six, were reported missing after parting company with father and husband Etienne at a car park in Herolds Bay on Tuesday afternoon.

Heidi and the children were supposed to meet Etienne back home later.

Tracks were spotted in the Voëlklip area, and the search focused on the rocks and crashing sea below the nearby cliffs.

Pojie said the search would continue for Heidi and Cuzette.

“As soon as the tide changes, they will try to recover the vehicle in the hopes of finding them, or at least some sign of what transpired.”

The search party has been trying to make the most of low tides for their searches as the crashing seas of the high tide makes it more difficult for the divers near the cliffs.

Their vehicle, a VW Caravelle, was found at the bottom of a cliff when a search party noticed tyre tracks near a ledge.

According to Pojie, the search for Heidi and Cuzette will resume today if the weather holds off and the tides are manageable for the search party.