She Went to Buy Milk — and Never Came Home

Welkom, Free State – It has been five months since 32-year-old Anuschka Janine Saunders vanished after leaving her home in Seemeeupark, Welkom, and her family’s nightmare has only deepened with time. Despite police involvement, media appeals, and endless searching, no new leads have emerged since the day she went missing — and those closest to her are left with unbearable uncertainty.

“It’s like she just disappeared off the face of the earth,” says her mother, Monika Ras, her voice breaking. “We just want to know what happened to my daughter. Every day that passes without answers makes the pain worse.”

The day everything changed

According to Ras, Anuschka’s disappearance began like any ordinary evening on 27 May 2025. Around 17:20, she told a friend she was stepping out to buy milk. By 18:00, her phone had gone silent.

When she didn’t return home, friends assumed she had been delayed — but by the next day, alarm bells were ringing. Two days later, on 29 May, the family officially reported her missing at the Welkom Police Station. Detectives began preliminary inquiries, visiting her home and speaking to her friend in Bothastraat, where she had been staying temporarily. But little came from the investigation.

“There was one possible sighting of her in the industrial area,” Ras recalls, “but that lead went nowhere. We printed posters, put up flyers across Welkom, posted online, even searched in nearby fields — nothing.”

“Something is definitely wrong”

For the Saunders family, the silence feels unnatural — and chilling. Ras believes something sinister may have happened to her daughter, especially after learning about an alleged altercation between Anuschka and her husband shortly before she disappeared.

“Her children are in Georgia with her first husband, and her current husband worked at Roots near Manny’s,” Ras explains. “After that argument, he left before 8 p.m. that night. There was activity on his Facebook account later — but nothing from her. That was the last time anyone saw her.”

The family says it is completely out of character for Anuschka to disappear without a word. “She’s never gone off like this,” Ras continues. “She loved her kids deeply. All her belongings are still at her friend’s place — her clothes, ID, personal items. She didn’t pack or plan anything. Something is definitely wrong.”

Police investigation continues

Police in Welkom confirm that a missing person’s case remains active. According to Detective Sergeant Stanley Manake from the Welkom Detective Services, officers have followed all available leads but still need public help.

“Anuschka was last seen around 17:20 after telling her friend she was going to the shop,” said Manake. “She never returned, and despite multiple search efforts, her whereabouts remain unknown. Our investigation is ongoing, and we are appealing for any information that might lead to her discovery.”

The Welkom Police urge residents and anyone in the surrounding Free State towns to remain vigilant for any sign of her. They’ve asked for assistance from nearby communities and continue to work with family members.

“We will not close this case until she is found,” Manake assured. “Even the smallest detail or memory could be the key.”

Distinctive features that could help identify her

Anuschka is described as being 1.6 metres tall, weighing around 75 kilograms, with medium-length brown hair and brown eyes. She also has several unique tattoos and scars that could help identify her:

At the time of her disappearance, she was believed to be on foot, as neither she nor her husband owned a vehicle.

A family’s search for closure

Five months later, the Saunders family continues to live in hope — but also in anguish. For Ras, the hardest part is not knowing.

“You can’t sleep, you can’t eat, because your mind keeps asking, ‘Where is she? Is she safe? Is she hurt?’” she says softly. “I replay that day over and over. If I had called her earlier or gone looking sooner, maybe things would be different.”

Friends of Anuschka describe her as kind, loving, and quick to laugh — a woman devoted to her family but also resilient through hardship. “She went through tough times,” one friend told Komani.co.za, “but she always picked herself up. That’s why this doesn’t make sense. She wouldn’t just disappear.”

Public appeals and digital footprints

Since May, social media has played a major role in spreading awareness about Anuschka’s disappearance. Her photo has been shared across Facebook community groups such as Welkom City Stad and Missing Persons South Africa, reaching thousands of users.

Despite widespread sharing, however, no verified sightings have come in. Police have monitored potential online activity, but none has been traced back to her.

Ras still checks Anuschka’s Facebook page daily, hoping for a sign. “I message her sometimes,” she says quietly. “Just in case she can see it. I tell her we love her and that we’re waiting.”

How you can help

Anyone with information about Anuschka Janine Saunders is urged to contact:

• Detective Sergeant Stanley Manake at the Welkom Detective Services on 065 853 0130

• Crime Stop: 08600 10111

• Or submit an anonymous tip-off via the MySAPS App

“If you know something — anything — please come forward,” Ras pleads. “Don’t stay silent. My daughter deserves to be found.”