The young heiress to a wealthy German shipping empire has been found dead under mysterious circumstances in South Africa less than 24 hours after a man described as her mentor and foster father figure was also discovered dead on the same estate.
Caroline von Rantzau, 26, was found dead in her room at the Leeuwfontein Estate in Limpopo province on June 1.
According to reports, gunshots had been heard across the sprawling property shortly before her body was discovered. Authorities believe she died from a gunshot wound.
The shocking discovery came just one day after another fatal shooting at the estate.
Two deaths in less than 24 hours
On May 31, financial manager Arno Koën, 44, was found dead after being shot with a 9mm firearm.
Koën was reportedly much more than an employee to von Rantzau. He has been described as a mentor, confidant and even a foster father figure to the young woman.
Investigators believe von Rantzau was shot with a .357-caliber hunting rifle, reportedly the same type of firearm kept in her father’s gun cabinet.
Her father, Dr. Eberhart von Rantzau, serves as managing director of Deutsche Afrika-Linien (DAL), a German shipping company that has remained under family ownership for generations.
The investigation continues
Police have not yet determined exactly what happened during the two deadly incidents.
South African Police Service spokesperson Malesela Ledwaba said investigators are awaiting the results of autopsies before deciding whether further action will be taken.
– The results of the autopsy will give investigators information about the actual causes of death and will determine whether investigations will be launched against other persons, Ledwaba said.
So far, no arrests have been made in connection with either death.
Early reports suggesting that von Rantzau had died in a car accident were later dismissed.
Von Rantzau was reportedly building a future of her own
Before her death, von Rantzau had reportedly begun pursuing business ventures of her own. She had recently purchased properties in the remote region near South Africa’s border with Mozambique.
Meanwhile, DAL remains a major player in European chemical tanker shipping, with the von Rantzau family overseeing the company through multiple generations.
Investigators have released few details about the tragedy so far.
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