Walking trail claims Benoni woman

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The chief director: policy and strategy co-ordination at the Department of Water and Sanitation, Marie Brisley, died shortly after she arrived on holiday in Mossel Bay.

The KwaNonqaba police, members of the NSRI Mossel Bay and the various emergency services last week combed the Pinnacle Point area for a woman who disappeared shortly after arriving with her friend in Mossel Bay for a holiday.

According to KwaNonqaba police communications officer, Sgt Kapp, Marie Brisley (54) and James Thompson arrived in Mossel Bay on Tuesday, 17 October.

On Wednesday, 18 October Brisley apparently set off on a walk without Thompson at approximately 10:30 from their accommodation in Fairways Drive at Pinnacle Point Estate.

She took with her a rucksack with edibles such as fruit and nuts, but left behind her cellphone.

That was the last time she was seen alive.

Thompson told the police he remained behind as he was tired from a walking trip to the Pinnacle Point clubhouse the previous day.

The officer commanding the KwaNonqaba Police Investigating Unit, Capt Ashley Michaels (in red), police officers and emergency services staff plan the rescue operation that led to the finding of the body of Marie Brisley. Photo: Nickey le Roux

Instead, he apparently went to sleep. When he woke up at approximately 13:00, he said he realised Brisley had not yet returned home.

He nevertheless prepared lunch for the two of them and became worried when Brisley still had not returned.

At approximately 15:00 he enquired about Brisley's whereabouts at the Pinnacle Point security guards and also visited the casino to look for her, but he could not trace her.

Thompson later asked the security control room of Pinnacle Point Estate to contact the police.

A search party was established consisting of eight police officials and eight members of the Mossel Bay NSRI.

Emergency personnel make their way down the steep, slippery slope towards where the body of Marie Brisley was discovered.

According to the NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, André Fraser, the party conducted an extensive search which was only suspended at 03:00 on Thursday morning, and again resumed at first light.

A Joint Operations Centre was established and a Police K-9 search and rescue team joined the NSRI Mossel Bay, the KwaNonqaba police, members of the Mossel Bay Fire and Disaster Management Services and other emergency services in an ongoing search that included the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter.

During the ongoing search, a Police K-9 search and rescue team located Brisley's body along the coastline on the Mossel Bay Point side of Pinnacle Point Estate.

The body was recovered and taken into the care of Forensic Pathology Services.