Missing Tuks student Duncan Allan was found dead in his car on Tuesday, clutching his Bible.
Allan, 20, a BCom investment management student living in Olienhout men’s residence at the University of Pretoria, was last seen by friends at a Bible study group the night before he disappeared.
On July 18 he collected his car from a service station in Lynnwood and was not seen alive again. A massive search followed, including pleas on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for his safe return.
Posters were put up on the streets of Pretoria and in other areas, including Joburg, where he had matriculated from King Edward VII (KES).
Family, friends, Tuks students, the media and the organisations eBlockwatch and the Pink Ladies helped spread the message on e-mail, in adverts and through social networking sites, but to no avail.
On Tuesday Allan’s decomposing body was found in the driver’s seat of his Jetta parked in a veld near Welbekend, about 30km east of Pretoria.
A hosepipe running from the exhaust pipe to the passenger window suggests Allan gassed himself.
Police have confirmed they do not suspect any foul play.
Allan’s father, Tim Allan, said on Tuesday the family would release a statement later in the week and asked for privacy to deal with their loss.
Messages of shock, support and condolences for the family flooded Facebook and Twitter after news of his death spread.
A Facebook group started to help find Allan had more than 14 500 members on Tuesday night, many of whom sent condolences to the Allan family.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Annabel Middleton said Allan was found by a farm worker who alerted police in Welbekend.
“Mr Allan was found at about 8am. His decomposed body points to him having committed suicide at the time he was reported missing.
“We have opened an inquest docket,” Middleton said.
No note was found, she said.
CCTV footage of Allan leaving the service station showed he had been alone at the time of his disappearance.
Among the messages posted on Tuesday were from Alison Thomson: “My heart is broken – your loss is ours – Your child is my child – know that you have the love and support of every single one of us.”
Elmien le Grange said: “Words have failed me ever since I heard the news… may God carry you all during this very difficult time.”
“RIP Duncan Allan,” Mamzur Lema Molepo said.
Morné Snyman wrote: “You will be missed bro! I trust they’ll find whoever did this to you… “
The posts confirming Allan’s death were followed by countless messages of condolences, with most of his friends recounting the times they spent with him.
“Going to miss… You made my first year one of the best of my life,” wrote Marli Malan.
Many friends like Stefanie Senke changed their profile pictures to that of Allan’s picture in tribute.
She wrote: “Was really hoping the rumors (sic) weren’t true. Duncan, you were an amazing person, and you will truely (sic) be missed. May you rest in peace, friend”.
“RIP bro. We will dearly miss you. You were an amazing person, a brother, a mate and a great colleague. We will always love you bro,” wrote Zolile Eddie Mafunda.
Hours before Allan’s body was found, another Facebooker had posted that she hoped Allan would be available for a presentation due on Friday.
Some Tweeters questioned why he was only found after three weeks. “Super shocked to hear about Duncan… we hoped and prayed he would be found alive,” tweeted Megan Wilson.
Tamara Dey tweeted: “So shocked to hear the news.” - Pretoria News