Teenage girl's remains found buried with Blackberry cellphone

The remains of a teenage girl have been found buried in a shallow grave with a Blackberry cellphone next to it, which could indicate a timeline when the victim may have died and disappeared. 

According to data on the Blackberry cellphone range, it was discontinued in 2013.

Detectives in Welkom now hope this will be the key in finding out who the girl was after the skull was sticking out from underneath the soil surface.

Missing persons organisations in the Western Cape are also rallying to assist, by sharing the statement that was issued by police including digging into the case profiles of girls who have gone missing in that location.

In a statement issued by the Welkom police, it said that the teen was found buried in a grave at Doorn, still dressed in a black hooded jacket with the name “SWAGA” printed on the pockets.

“A chilling discovery has left the community of Welkom in shock. Police found human remains buried in a shallow grave at Doorn, alongside a broken BlackBerry phone, a device that hasn’t been in use for many years,” the police said in their statement.

“The discovery was made on October 2 2025, when police were called to the scene after a skull was seen sticking out from the soil. The remains are believed to be that of a coloured female, possibly between 12 and 16 years old.

“At the time of her death, she was wearing a black hooded jacket with the name “SWAGA” printed on the pocket. The old phone found beside her body may be the only clue to when she died.

“Police are urging anyone who might know a missing girl matching this description to come forward so forensic DNA testing can help identify her.”

Chaz Thomas of Track n Trace missing persons organisation, which network is stretched across the Western Cape and  all over the country, said they are assisting in the case by distributing the information and reviewing cases.“There is a lot of girls that have gone missing in that region,” she said.

“The Blackberry cellphone was very popular around 2012 side.

“We are sharing the information on social media and on our platforms hoping for a breakthrough.”

Cape Argus also reached out to the local police in Welkom who confirmed that there are no new developments in the case while their media communications office has yet to respond to queries.

If you have any information, please contact Warrant Officer Riaan De Lange of the Welkom Detective Services at 082 821 9227.

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Cape Argus