Retired couple found stabbed and bound in South African river

A retired married couple was found dead with multiple stab wounds and their hands bound behind their backs in the Limpopo River inside Kruger National Park early Friday. Their bodies were spotted by tourists watching elephants cross the river. The couple had traveled more than 1,100 miles from their home in Mossel Bay to spend a week at the park.

Investigation details A national park source said the victims were reported missing Thursday morning after a maid at their safari camp raised the alarm. Searchers initially thought the pair might have been stranded by local flooding. The same source said both victims had been stabbed in what appeared to be a brutal attack and were thrown into the water. Their four-by-four vehicle was also stolen.

Police assessment A South African police source said investigators believe the couple may have encountered a group of poachers and were killed to prevent them from alerting others. The source added that the stolen vehicle could have been used to move items across the unfenced river border into Mozambique.

A large manhunt is underway, with authorities focusing on the possibility that the suspects have already left the park area. A neighbor said the couple regularly visited a wildlife estate near the park and that residents were shocked by the deaths.