Western Cape police have confirmed that an inquest into the death of a 6-year-old boy in December last year has been changed to a murder investigation.

The boy’s body was discovered inside a washing machine at his family’s home in Ensor Street in Cafda, Retreat, on 19 December.

The boy’s father had reported his son missing at the local police station, which led to officers visiting the family’s home.

After initiating a search for the boy, they discovered the body of the child inside the washing machine. It is unclear how he ended up inside the appliance.

The boy was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel, and a post-mortem was conducted to determine his cause of death.

Reports indicate the autopsy was concluded, finding that the boy died of unnatural causes, which initiated the murder investigation.

Police Captain F.C. van Wyk says that due to the sensitive nature of this case, he is not able to elaborate further on the matter.