Client Background
A UK-based public health organisation contacted Bond Rees to locate a missing consultant who had gone silent while on assignment in Rwanda. The consultant was in Kigali to work with local health officials on a project aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare in rural areas. The organisation became concerned when the consultant missed several important meetings and did not respond to calls or emails for over a week, particularly given the critical nature of the project and the potential health risks in remote communities.
The Investigation
Bond Rees began by gathering all relevant information, including the consultant’s planned schedule, recent contacts, and communication history. The consultant had been staying in Kigali and was scheduled to travel to several rural health centres in the Northern Province to assess healthcare infrastructure and provide training. The last communication from the consultant was a message to the organisation confirming their departure by car to a village near Lake Rondo for a site visit.
Digital Footprint and Local Contacts
Our digital forensics team conducted a comprehensive analysis of the consultant’s digital footprint, including phone records, GPS data, recent emails, and social media activity. The last known GPS signal from the consultant’s phone indicated a location along a rural road near Lake Rondo, but no further digital activity was recorded afterwards. This raised concerns about a potential accident, vehicle breakdown, or health emergency in a remote area with limited infrastructure.
Bond Rees reached out to local contacts, including health officials, community leaders, and transport providers, to gather more information. Several contacts confirmed that the consultant had been seen leaving Kigali in a rented vehicle but had not arrived at any of the scheduled health centres.
On-the-Ground Investigation in Rwanda
With these leads, Bond Rees deployed local investigators in Kigali and the Northern Province to conduct discreet inquiries. Our team collaborated with local health workers, community leaders, and transport authorities to retrace the consultant’s route and check along the roads leading to Lake Rondo.
After several days of investigation, we discovered that the vehicle carrying the consultant had encountered a landslide on a remote mountain road, blocking the route and leaving them stranded. Further inquiries revealed that the consultant had attempted to hike to the nearest village for help but had become disoriented in the dense forest. Fortunately, the consultant was found by local villagers who provided shelter and food. However, due to limited access to communication networks, the consultant had been unable to contact their organisation or seek further assistance.
Outcome
Bond Rees quickly confirmed the consultant’s location and condition, providing this vital information to the public health organisation in the UK. The organisation coordinated with local contacts to arrange safe transport back to Kigali, where the consultant received medical attention for mild dehydration and fatigue. Although tired from the ordeal, the consultant was in good health and able to continue their work after a short period of rest.
Why Bond Rees?
This case demonstrated Bond Rees’s expertise in locating missing persons in remote and challenging environments such as rural Rwanda. By combining digital forensics, local intelligence, and effective on-the-ground investigations, Bond Rees ensured the swift and safe recovery of the missing public health consultant. Our commitment to supporting organisations in safeguarding their personnel, even in the most unpredictable and isolated locations, remains steadfast and reliable.
