The decomposed body of a 39-year-old American tourist was recovered from Maun Education Park on Friday, hours after he was reported missing by the American Embassy. Police are yet to establish the cause of death.
Confirming investigations into the matter were well underway, District No.5 Officer Commanding, Onious Madziba, admitted it is unclear exactly when the foreigner entered Botswana or how he met his end.
The top cop revealed that days before his body was found, the American sent a message to his parents, informing them he was visiting a zoo in Maun but that his passport had been stolen.
When they didn’t hear back from their son for a few days, the concerned family contacted the embassy, who in turn reported the matter to the cops.
“They gave us a lead that he had once told them that he was at a zoo. Our instincts led us to the park, as it is the only place in Maun that can be mistaken for a zoo since there are wild animals in it,” explained Maziba.
A team of officers were promptly dispatched to the park where they soon made their grisly discovery.
“We do not know how he got inside the park since it is not in use and is always locked. But some residents have confirmed seeing him around the town, some spotted him at a library days before,” continued the police boss.
Maziba further told The Voice the dead man’s body was still at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital Mortuary, ready for collection.
It is unclear whether his family will travel to Botswana to fetch his remains or if his corpse will be flown back to America.