Missing Pretoria Man Allan Whelan Identified After Body Found Buried on Boskraai Property

• The decomposed body recovered from a Pretoria North smallholding was identified as Allan Whelan, who vanished in late August
• A source close to the investigation confirmed one person was arrested in connection with Whelan's murder
• Police are still searching for a second suspect believed to be linked to the case

PRETORIA — The decomposed body unearthed at a smallholding in Boskraai, Pretoria North, has been identified as 53-year-old Allan Whelan, who was reported missing in late August 2025.

A source close to the investigation confirmed Whelan's identity and indicated that at least one person had been arrested in connection with his murder, according to Rekord. Authorities were reportedly still pursuing a second individual believed to have played a role in the case. Police had not officially confirmed the arrest at the time of publication.

Whelan last seen in early hours of 22 August

Whelan was last seen in the Pretoria North area between midnight on Friday, 21 August, and approximately 3am on Saturday, 22 August. A missing-person case was subsequently opened at Akasia SAPS.

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According to Rekord, Pretoria North police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said officers received a tip-off at around 8am on Wednesday, 2 September, pointing them to a property in Boskraai where a body had allegedly been buried. Search-and-rescue dogs were deployed and identified a specific area on the premises. Excavation of the site led to the discovery of decomposed human remains.

Van Dyk said a witness identified during the preliminary investigation allegedly directed officers to the location of the grave and told investigators that the deceased had visited the smallholding in his vehicle.

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Vehicle allegedly sold after Whelan's disappearance

Whelan's vehicle was reportedly recovered on Thursday, 3 September. Investigators had received information suggesting the vehicle was sold in Pretoria West following his disappearance. Police had not officially confirmed the recovery of the vehicle at the time of publication.

The murder investigation is ongoing, with detectives continuing to follow up on all available leads. No further official details regarding the arrest or the circumstances of Whelan's death have been released by authorities.

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Gauteng pair found buried in shallow grave

Previously, Briefly News reported on another similar incident where two young people reported missing in late July were found partially buried beneath the foundations of a residential property in Van Dyk Park, east of Johannesburg.

Jessica Rabe, 20, and Yudistan Pillay, 25, were discovered on Sunday, 30 August 2026, at a house in Wildevy Crescent. Their disappearance had been reported to Dawn Park SAPS on 27 July. Before the pair vanished, Rabe was reportedly assaulted and had her cellphone stolen.

Source: Briefly News