Missing South African Man Found Drowned in Finland

Police in Finland have confirmed today that they have found the body of a missing South African businessman on a beach in Finland.

While Herc Croeser is not mentioned by name,  he is identified in Finnish newspaper reports as a 60-year-old IT manager from Metso Minerals.

Croeser was reported missing after he failed to return on a flight home this weekend.

This had been Croeser’s fourth visit to Finland and he had told his wife of 38 years, Rita Croeser, that it would be his last because he was tired.

Croeser had spent Thursday evening out with colleagues at Tampere’s Aussie Bar and was last seen on surveillance camera in Central Square just 400 metres from the Hotel Ilves where he was staying. There are two routes to the hotel – a shorter one across the bridge of Häme, and a longer route through Laukontori and Alaranta. Croeser chose the latter.

In a report in Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, it said that he was found drowned in the Ratina lake in Tampere and that police believe it was an accident. There is no suspicion of crime.

Police said Croeser’s family have been notified.

Although there is a low metal chain fence around the lake, it is still possible to walk directly to it. He was found near the restaurant-ship Suvi, but currents may have carried him there.

The most likely scenario, said Detective Chief Inspector Pasi Mettälä, is that Croeser accidentally fell into the water and could not get out. Reports have suggested he was on the rocks admiring the water when he fell in. The water is freezing at this time of year and it would have been very dark at midnight and difficult to climb up the basin wall which is over 1-metre high above the water.

There is a low alloy chain fence to deter walkers in the area, which has many restaurants, from going to close to the edge

Port Manager Matti River said there is a ladder but if one was unable to locate it, it would be difficult to climb out of the water.

The Detective Chief said he was very sorry for the incident.

Our deepest condolences to Mr Croeser’s family and friends.