The search for 81-year-old Gerhardus “Gert” David Hills from Knysna ended in tragedy last night (Wednesday, 6 August 2025), when his body was discovered inside his vehicle, which had gone down an embankment near the Kaaimans Pass, just past the Far Hills Hotel.
Preliminary reports suggest that police received information from a member of the public about the vehicle which was noticed in the bushes at the bottom of the cliff. Emergency personnel and volunteers, who formed part of the search party, were dispatched to the scene. At about 23:00 emergency personnel managed to retrieve the body of the deceased from the vehicle.
Hills had been missing since Friday, 18 July 2025, nearly 3 weeks, after he left his home in Knysna reportedly to purchase pigeon feed in town. Hills was a familiar figure in local pigeon racing circles.
Security camera footage later traced his silver-grey Nissan Juke travelling from George to Mossel Bay, with the final confirmed sighting at the Little Brak River off-ramp on the N2 around 19:00 that evening.
His disappearance sparked a large-scale search effort lasting nearly three weeks and prompted a R5000 reward for information about his whereabouts. Various groups joined the operation, including local law enforcement, private security firms, neighbourhood watches, and volunteers from surrounding communities.
Garden Route District Commissioner, Major General Phumzile Cetyana commended the search party for their diligence and commitment during the search, which included the deployment of various resources during the period. He also conveyed thanks and appreciation to the broader public for their support as well as individuals who deployed their personal resources during the search.
The Hills family has expressed deep gratitude to everyone who assisted in the search, offered support, or kept them in their thoughts during this difficult time.
They have requested privacy as they grieve their loss.
Preliminary reports suggest that police received information from a member of the public about the vehicle which was noticed in the bushes at the bottom of the cliff. Emergency personnel and volunteers, who formed part of the search party, were dispatched to the scene. At about 23:00 emergency personnel managed to retrieve the body of the deceased from the vehicle.
Hills had been missing since Friday, 18 July 2025, nearly 3 weeks, after he left his home in Knysna reportedly to purchase pigeon feed in town. Hills was a familiar figure in local pigeon racing circles.
Security camera footage later traced his silver-grey Nissan Juke travelling from George to Mossel Bay, with the final confirmed sighting at the Little Brak River off-ramp on the N2 around 19:00 that evening.
His disappearance sparked a large-scale search effort lasting nearly three weeks and prompted a R5000 reward for information about his whereabouts. Various groups joined the operation, including local law enforcement, private security firms, neighbourhood watches, and volunteers from surrounding communities.
Garden Route District Commissioner, Major General Phumzile Cetyana commended the search party for their diligence and commitment during the search, which included the deployment of various resources during the period. He also conveyed thanks and appreciation to the broader public for their support as well as individuals who deployed their personal resources during the search.
The Hills family has expressed deep gratitude to everyone who assisted in the search, offered support, or kept them in their thoughts during this difficult time.
They have requested privacy as they grieve their loss.
