Family holds out hope after charred body found in missing businessman’s vehicle

Family of Pietermaritzburg businessman Anesen Pillay are holding on to hope after charred remains were found in a burnt vehicle belonging to him and taken for forensic DNA analysis.

Discovery and forensic tests

According to IOL, police forensic teams removed charred remains found inside Pillay’s vehicle for DNA analysis. The family is waiting for the results before accepting the identity of the remains.

Where he was last seen

According to IOL, Pillay, 48, was reported missing after attending a funeral at Aryan Hall on Khan Road on August 22. The next day, IOL reports, police found a body inside a burnt-out vehicle belonging to Pillay in the forest in an area called France.

Family response and timeline

Despite the discovery, the family remains hopeful that the remains do not belong to Pillay, IOL reports. Pillay’s cousin, Somalan Moodley, said the family would not give up hope until identification was conclusive.

“We hope that he is still somewhere out there waiting to be found. We will continue to pray for his safe return,” Moodley said, according to IOL.

According to IOL, Moodley described the sequence of events: Pillay left the funeral to attend to business in Scottsville but never reached his premises; he had planned to attend a party at 6pm and had told his mother he would return home to get ready; he did not respond to his mother’s message at about 4pm; and his phone was switched off by about 4:30pm.

According to IOL, family and friends began searching for him on Sunday morning.

Next steps

According to IOL, the family is awaiting the results of DNA testing before confirming whether the remains are those of Pillay.