The body of South African high jump superstar Jacques Freitag was found on the 1st of July 2024 near a cemetery in Pretoria West, bringing a tragic end to a weeks-long search following his disappearance on June 17 2024.
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Freitag, a former world champion, was discovered with multiple bullet wounds, and police are treating his death as a murder. He was last seen leaving his mother’s house with an unknown man before being reported missing.
Local reports suggested that Freitag may have been struggling with drug addiction at the time of his disappearance. His sister, Chrissie Lewis, had been leading a desperate search for him, emphasizing that his towering 6’8″ frame should make him easy to spot.
Freitag’s disappearance has gripped South Africa, with many speculating about his fate. The man he was last seen with claimed to have a job opportunity for him, but Freitag was never seen alive again. His body was found near Zandfontein Cemetery in Pretoria West.
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The police have not released information about potential suspects or motives, leaving the public to speculate. Some suggest a clandestine deal gone wrong, while others hint at a jealous rival or a long-standing grudge.
Freitag’s athletic career was illustrious. He won world championships at the youth, junior, and senior levels—a feat matched by only a few track stars, including Usain Bolt.
He claimed senior gold with a leap of 2.35 meters at the 2003 World Championships in Paris, and his national record of 2.38 meters, set in 2005, still stands today.
Despite his professional success, Freitag struggled in his post-athletic life. Friends and family describe him as a man who found it hard to adjust after retiring from competitive sports.
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