British man, 68, found dead in back of car with cable ties around his neck

A British man has been found dead in his car in South Africa with cable ties around his

neck and a plastic bag over his head.

Sam Horsey is believed to have been dead in the back seat of his Subaru Legacy for four

days at the Vodaworld shopping complex in Johannesburg before he was discovered by

security guards.

Family and friends have said they are mystified by the 68-year-old's death, who was

said to have been in good spirits when he left his accommodation ont he day he

disappeared.
Discovery: The body of Sam Horsey, 68, was found in the back of his car at Vodaworld

shopping complex in Johannesburg, South Africa

Discovery: The body of Sam Horsey, 68, was found in the back of his car at Vodaworld

shopping complex in Johannesburg, South Africa

Police today confirmed they had launched a murder investigation, but were awaiting the

results of a post mortem to determine the cause of death.

The retired air-conditioning repairman had moved to South Africa 15 years ago with wife

Muriel, who died in 2006.

He had recently returned from neighbouring Botswana and was living at friend Hans

Wellman's house.

Mr Wellman, who had known him for 12 years, reported him missing to police when he

failed to return home.

He said the pensioner, who had no family in South Africa, was planning to return to the

UK permanently.
Investigation: Police said Mr Horsey had cable ties around his neck and a plastic bag

over his head

Investigation: Police said Mr Horsey had cable ties around his neck and a plastic bag

over his head

The dead man's sister-in-law, Luzie Horsey, told the Sunday Times in South Africa that

his 97-year-old mother and the remainder of the family were shocked by his death.

Mrs Horsey, from Chadstone, Northamptonshire, said: 'We saw him when he came to visit

about four months ago.

'He loved South Africa - we want to know exactly how and why he died like this.'