WALVIS BAY — 2020 · Missing Person
The Disappearance of Shannon Wasserfall
Shannon Wasserfall, 22, disappeared in the Namibian port town of Walvis Bay on 10 April 2020. Months of searching produced nothing, and her family and the public criticised the police for being slow. Following an anonymous tip passed to her father, remains were found in a shallow grave in the dunes outside the town on 6 October 2020 and identified as hers by fingerprint on 9 October. The case sparked major protests against gender-based violence in Namibia. Two siblings tried over her death were acquitted of murder by the High Court in May 2023 but convicted of defeating the course of justice. Officially, the cause of death and those responsible were never established.
- Date
- 2020
- Place
- Erongo, Namibia, Walvis Bay, NA
- Category
- Missing Person
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- -22.9500, 14.5100 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 10 April 2020Shannon Wasserfall disappeared in Walvis Bay.
- 6 October 2020Remains were found in a shallow grave after an anonymous tip.
- 9 October 2020The remains were confirmed to be hers.
- October 2020Nationwide protests against gender-based violence followed.
- May 2023Two defendants were acquitted of murder but convicted of defeating the course of justice.
Sources
- The Namibian — Siblings acquitted in Wasserfall murder trial namibian.com.na ↗
- Observer24 — DNA test confirms Shannon's remains observer24.com.na ↗
- NamibLII — High Court judgment (2023) namiblii.org ↗
- The Namibian
- Observer24
- NamibLII
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.