The story of the disappearance of 71-year-old Lorna McSorley, who disappeared in the fall of 2025 in the Republic of South Africa, has received new developments.
While police continue their investigation, journalists who spoke with residents of KwaZulu-Natal province have put forward a frightening theory: the tourist may have fallen victim to a muti ritual—a practice involving the use of human body parts, a Belnovosti correspondent reports, citing Lenta.ru .
There is no official confirmation of this version, but local residents claim that such cases are not uncommon in the region.
The journey of a couple from the English county of Devon began without a cloud. Lorna McSorley and her 81-year-old husband, Leon Probert, arrived in South Africa on September 27, staying at the Ghost Mountain Inn in Mkuze.
The woman dreamed of seeing wild animals and soon set off with her husband for a walk along a trail leading to a lake inhabited by crocodiles and hippos. However, Probert grew tired and returned to the hotel, leaving his wife to continue the journey alone.
When Lorna didn't show up after several hours, a search began. The operation involved police, gamekeepers, volunteers, farmers, dog handlers, and even a helicopter. But no trace, no belongings, and no body were found.
Her bank card was not used, ruling out the possibility of an attempt to flee or robbery. The search was suspended on October 4.
The last person to see McSorley was farmer Koos Prinsloo. He said the tourist approached his fence to ask directions. She seemed calm, but was off the designated route.
Prinsloo offered to give her a ride to the hotel, but the woman refused and continued on foot.
Initial theories—a wild animal attack or a crime—were unconfirmed. It was then that journalists turned to local residents, who began talking about muti rituals.
In KwaZulu-Natal, this practice has deep roots: traditional medicine uses plants, animal parts, and, according to some sources, human remains. There are communities in the region that, according to locals, may engage in such rituals in secret from the authorities.
Mkuze and its surroundings are shrouded in dark legends. Mount Tshaneni, known as the Phantom Mountain, towers over the town. Locals tell of strange lights on its slopes and sounds resembling the echoes of ancient battles.
The mountain is considered a place of power, inhabited by the spirits of ancestors. Against this backdrop, the disappearance of the foreign woman has sparked numerous rumors.
The missing woman's husband, who returned to the UK after the search was called off, admitted to feeling guilty about what happened. He is certain that if he hadn't abandoned his wife, the tragedy could have been avoided.
The investigation is ongoing, but the lack of evidence makes the case one of the most baffling in recent years. Police are not confirming the ritual theory, but they are not ruling it out either, given the region's unique features and the complete absence of any trace of the missing woman.
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