The police have confirmed that no foul play is suspected in the death of a well-known businessman whose body was found near Grotto Beach last week after an extensive search.
HGG Financial Group confirmed the death of Hendrik Gerryts, founder and executive director of the company, in a statement released early on Monday (7 March).
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of HGG’s founder and executive director Hendrik Gerryts,” it said. “Hendrik went missing on Thursday 3 March and his body was found the next day in Hermanus.
“Words cannot express the grief we feel at losing such an extraordinarily visionary businessman, colleague and friend.
“The people who knew him well will remember him for his great business advice, his big heart, willingness to help others and his involvement with the local community.”
Gerryts was reported missing at the Somerset West Police Station on Thursday 3 March. Posts that were circulated widely on social media stated his phone had been switched off about 11:00 on the day.
Capt Fadila September, spokesperson for the Hermanus police, confirmed that footage of Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras were used to determine where Gerryts was last seen driving.
The police, Overstrand Law Enforcement officials, Hermanus Neighbourhood Watch and Alfa Afriforum’s Air Wing finecombed the shoreline near Grotto Beach for any sign of Gerryts after the successful businessman’s Range Rover Sport was discovered in the parking lot near the beach.
Lourens Theron, head of the Alfa Afriforum Neighbourhood Watch, reports the organisation’s air wing used a drone to assist with the search.
“We used the drone to search the water, shoreline and bushes at Grotto. We then moved the search to the area around the lagoon,” he stated.
A private helicopter, reportedly hired by Gerryts’ family, also assisted in the search. September confirmed the missing man’s body was found in bushes along the beach in Stanford’s direction.
“No foul play is suspected and the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated,” she stated.