A missing surfer was likely killed by a “very large” great white shark after his bodyboard washed up with huge bite marks, according to his family.
Robert Walter Ernst Frauenstein was due to get married in the coming weeks before he went missing at sea in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old businessman’s disappearance sparked a major search by the National Sea Rescue Institute and police, with a shark reportedly spotted from the air.
The NSRI and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality warned paddlers and surfers to be careful if out along the stretch of coastline between East London and North Chinsta, a press release said.
Mr Frauenstein’s soon-to-be sister-in-law Kerry Hiles then posted on Facebook yesterday the family have come to accept he was killed in a shark attack.
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“The teeth marks in his bodyboard are confirmed as that of a very large Great White shark, possibly the same shark spotted from the air earlier in the week,” she said.
“We take comfort in the fact that Robert was doing what he loved and that his untimely demise would have been as swift, painless and without struggle as anyone could hope for.”
She also revealed that he was due to marry her sister Jana Karma Hiles next month.
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“We acknowledge that the rescue mission has now become a recovery exercise and thank you in advance for your understanding as we move into a space of grieving,” Ms Hiles added.
Spokesman for NSRI Craig Lambinon previously said the bite marks could be from a shark and this will now be investigated, reports News24.
The bodyboard is in the possession of the Department of Environment Affairs.
Police officer Captain Khaya Tonjeni said a full scan of the shoreline and a search patrol were being conducted yesterday.