Rodney (74) and Rachel (63) Saunders were both respected botanists.
For six months they traveled across the South African desert in search of rare plant seeds.
As part of the trip, the couple met with a BBC TV crew in early February for a feature on the Gardeners’ World program.
On February 8, presenter Nick Bailey posted a selfie with the couple on Twitter.
– The wonderful Rod and Rachel Saunders from Silver Hill Seeds. These people know their South African plants, and most importantly, they know where to find them. They sell an incredible variety of seeds online, Bailey tweeted.
It was also the last day anyone heard about the couple alive.
Boy (10) eaten alive by a crocodile
Kidnapped
– Around February 10, investigators of the disappearance received information that Rodney Saunders and his wife, Dr Rachel Saunders of Cape Town, had been abducted in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region, it was said in the trial that followed, according to The independent.
According to BBC Police are said to have found Rodney’s body in a river on February 17, while Rachel was found several days later.
– After the couple disappeared, their car was found covered in traces of blood and 734,000 rand (around 430,000 NOK, today’s exchange rate) would have been withdrawn from their bank accounts, writes the BBC.
Woman killed by a hippo
Thrown to the crocodiles
In the wake of the disappearance, four suspects have been charged with the theft, robbery, kidnapping and murder of the married couple, writes The Independent.
At the residence of two of the accused, police found a drone, camping gear, generators and paintball equipment, all of which must have been purchased on Saunders’ credit card, according to The Guardian.
