Human skeletal remains believed to be suicide victim found in bush north of Durban

Ottawa, KwaZulu-Natal – Human skeletal remains believed to be those of a suicide victim were discovered in a bush along Pinewood Road in Ottawa, north of Durban, on Tuesday morning.

According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), its officers were called to the scene at approximately 10:31 after the remains were discovered by a member of the public.

On arrival, Reaction Officers met with employees from Project 360, who said a passerby had alerted a security officer stationed at a nearby property after making the discovery.

The passerby reportedly told responders that he had been walking along a railway line when he noticed a human skull on an embankment.

After investigating further, he allegedly found a rope still tied to a nearby tree and a bread crate lying on its side beneath it.

The skull was found next to the crate, while human skeletal remains were scattered across the surrounding area.

According to RUSA, several of the bones were partially covered by leaves and sand, suggesting the deceased had been at the location for a considerable period.

The circumstances surrounding the death have not yet been officially confirmed, although the scene is believed to be consistent with a suspected suicide.

Police are expected to investigate the incident and work to establish the identity of the deceased.