Naked body of woman biker found

THE naked, decomposing body of an Algoa Park woman was found in the bushes in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, at the weekend.

The woman’s motorbike, helmet, wallet and clothes were found near to the body.

Police suspect Linda Gerber, 31, died about five days ago. But the puzzling circumstances of her death have them baffled.

Gerber was reported missing at the Algoa Park police station on November 16 by her family, who told police she was suicidal.

She had allegedly been having marital problems and was living with her parents. She was also being treated for depression.

Police spokesman Captain Stanley Jarvis said it appeared that Gerber might have been murdered, but this could only be confirmed after a postmortem was done.

Police gave chase after the bike was spotted going down a side street in Summerstrand last week, but Gerber gave them the slip.

“If you look at the time when the bike was spotted by police, she must have died within the last four or five days,” Jarvis said.

“A patrolling police van spotted the bike on Saturday while doing random patrols in the bushy area [off Dana Street] at the back of Summerstrand.

“As they approached the bike, they were hit by a strong stench and spotted the decomposing body about 5m from the bike.

“Her helmet and other valuables were found scattered around the scene but nothing appears to have been stolen,” he said.

Jarvis said the fact that Gerber was completely naked, with her clothes lying scattered around the bike, made it unlikely that she had crashed her bike and fallen off.

“The cause of death is unknown at this stage. It is difficult to know if she had wounds on her body as it was badly decomposed.

“We will know more when the coroner’s report is finalised,” he said.

Police officers at the scene said the fact that none of Gerber’s personal belongings were missing ruled out robbery as a motive.

“Hopefully, the coroner – from DNA and other evidence from the scene – will be able to piece the puzzle together,” one officer said.

Humewood police are investigating a possible case of murder.