The search for missing Somerset West woman Rika Norris ended in tragedy yesterday, 15 August, after her body was found in a steep kloof towards Porcupine Ridge in the Helderberg Nature Reserve, nearly three months after she was reported missing.

The 60-year-old Norris had gone for a walk with her dog at Lourensford Farm on Saturday 23 May and was last seen at around 12h00. After she failed to return home, her family filed a missing person’s report on 24 May.

An extensive search was launched with appeals from her family to help find Norris. Her dog reportedly returned home 8 days later, but there was no sign of Rika.

Sadly, yesterday morning, Friends of Helderberg Nature Reserve confirmed that her body had been found by a search team in a kloof towards Porcupine Ridge. It would appear she had fallen.

Police confirmed that her body was retrieved by late Saturday afternoon and that a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death.

According to reports, the area where Norris’ body was found was difficult to access, and she was well hidden.