Body found on Table Mountain is that of missing runner: search and rescue

Search and rescue teams on Wednesday recovered the body of missing Cape Town trail runner Ken Stephen.

This after a body was spotted on the mountain slopes below Table Mountain’s Africa Face at about 3pm. A rescue helicopter was then dispatched.

"We can now confirm that the body of the person we have been searching for since 6 July 2020 has been found. The wallet, car keys and the clothing confirmed his identity. The body will later have to be identified by the family," said Johann Marais of Wilderness Search and Rescue.

While it was not exactly clear what had happened, Marais said: "The location where he was found indicates that he may have fallen from a high location. We extend our condolences to the family, his friends and the trail running fraternity."

In total, there were 61 teams on the mountain - involving about 500 people - who were helping to look for Stephens.

Stephen, a 36-year-old trail runner, has been missing since Monday after he reportedly went for a run at about 3pm. Rescue teams started the search at midnight on Monday and by Wednesday hundreds of volunteers had joined in.

Marais said his phone was geo-located on the slopes below Lion’s Head throughout the day on Tuesday, but a search of the area above Nettleton Road using dogs and a helicopter proved fruitless.

The spot where his phone was last located is a relatively far distance from where the body was spotted, on a contour path below a massive piece of sheer cliff below the cable car station.