Family of British woman who vanished while hiking in South Africa say her 'witchcraft death' must be investigated as murder

The family of a British woman who vanished while hiking in South Africa has said her death must be investigated as murder.Lorna McSorley, 71, from Teignmouth, Devon, disappeared in September 2025 after she went on a walk with her partner of 30 years, 82-year-old Leon Probert.The couple left their hotel to go for a short walk from the Ghost Mountain Inn in the KwaZulu-Natal province to search for local wildlife.But on the walk, Leon found the heat and distance too stifling, returning back to get his hat and leaving Lorna to continue on her own. It would be the last time he would see her. To this day, Leon's partner has not been heard from despite an extensive search operation of the surrounding area after she failed to return three hours later.Locals in the South African region believe she may have been kidnapped and killed for her body parts used in 'muti' rituals.Now Ms McSorley's brother, Geoff Sheward, wants her case to be treated as a murder investigation and not a missing persons inquiry. Geoff Sheward (pictured, right), Lorna's brother, has said her disappearance must be investigated as a murder The couple checked into the Ghost Mountain Inn ahead of a two-week-long holiday (pictured)A year on from her disappearance, the 73-year-old said the family can't yet grieve her death.'As bad as it would be to hear any horrible details, knowing nothing is definitely worse,' he told The Times.'We are just in limbo, unable to settle her affairs or know how to grieve.'The KwaZulu-Natal region's northern area, where Lorna went missing, is known for being a hotspot for strong 'muti' beliefs which is a type of traditional medicine or magic. Though most 'muti' rituals require parts from plants or animals, there are those who believe the most powerful charms and medicines require human body parts.These spells are often used by those with the wealth and contacts to procure human body parts, be they business leaders closing a deal, a gangster wishing to protect themselves or a politician seeking high office.Several locals said that a 'muti' killing was the likely cause of Lorna's death, The Times previously reported. Lorna (pictured, right) and Leon (pictured, left) were seen at the reception of the Ghost Mountain Inn on September 27 Jacob Sabelo Ntshangase, a Zulu culture expert, told the newspaper that body parts from White people and those with albinism are believed by some to bring strength and wealth.He said that given Lorna had spent so much time on her own in the bush, it was likely that someone had spotted her, called for help and kidnapped her.Lorna and Leon had arrived by coach at the Ghost Mountain Inn on September 27, 2025, at around midday.CCTV showed the couple at the reception together before they set off on a three-mile walk to a nearby lake at 2.30pm.The pair were keen to make the most of their fortnight-long trip, which was said to include two days in the legendary Kruger National Park.But Leon quickly turned back, due to the heat, distance and the fact he forgot his hat.Alone in the remote South African region, Lorna lost her way, reportedly stopping at local farmer Koos Prinsloo's property to ask for directions.After she failed to return from the hike, Leon raised the alarm and local police, farmers, volunteers and rangers searched the area for the missing Briton.The search area was then increased when no signs of life were discovered in the following days.On October 4, local detectives paused the search, saying they were looking into other leads. Her disappearance was not classified as a murder but a missing persons case. Do YOU have a story? Email Joshua.Haining@dailymail.co.uk