Beaten to death: Chatsworth family’s search for missing man ends in heartbreak - IOL

The body of budding Chatsworth soccer player Ethan Krishna, who went missing last Tuesday, was found dumped in bushes near the Bluff.

His distraught family, who had been searching for him since Wednesday morning, received news of his death shortly after they held a prayer for his safe return on Thursday night. 

Dawn Gounden, spokesperson for Krishna’s family, said Krishna left home late on Tuesday afternoon to visit his friends in his community in Croftdene, and his family never heard from him again.

She said he last communicated with his friend at around 1am on Wednesday morning.

“He left his friend’s house in Croftdene late on Tuesday night. Nobody knows who he left with, but he was picked by someone with a vehicle.

“His body was found in the bushes at the corner of Highbury and Nerissa Roads on Wednesday morning.

“It is suspected that his body was dumped at the spot between 1.30am and 4.30am.”

Gounden said when his family could not get ahold of him, they initially thought that his phone battery had died.

She said on Thursday morning, when he had not returned home, they opened a missing persons report.

“I was contacted as the founder of Renegades Search and Rescue. I assisted the family in circulating missing persons posters and following up on leads.

“We were then notified of the body of an Indian male that was found dumped in Bluff, and that the case was being handled by the Brighton Beach police.

“The family was notified on Thursday evening, and they then identified the body.”

She said Krishna was wearing the same hoodie that he was wearing in the photo that was circulating with his missing persons report.

“The family has trust and confidence in the police and believe the Brighton Beach police would make arrests soon.

“The family urges the community to refrain from speculating over unconfirmed information about Krishna’s death.

Krishna was a member of the Croftdene Crusaders Football Club. 

Gounden said he was also a devout Christian, was loved by a host of family and friends, which was indicative in the large turnout at his funeral on Saturday.