Search for Sarah continues: Police mum on video

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The police have declined to verify the authenticity of a widely circulated social media video believed to feature missing George teen Sarah Rose Starrett (17).

They say the investigation into her disappearance remains ongoing, and that several issues raised by George Herald form part of the active police probe.

Sarah was reported missing after she was last seen in Maitland Street, Blanco, at about 08:00 on Sunday 19 July.

Her disappearance has sparked widespread public interest, with numerous social media posts, and now a video, circulating online.

George Herald asked the police whether the teen featured in the video was indeed Sarah, whether it had been recorded when she was 16, as suggested in the footage, and whether the investigators could comment on claims regarding her current whereabouts.

In response to the queries about the video’s authenticity and claims regarding Sarah’s whereabouts, the Southern Cape Police’s spokesperson, Warrant Officer Chris Spies, said the investigators could not comment on matters forming part of the ongoing investigation.

“Please note, the police is not at liberty to answer some of the questions posed in your media enquiry. Investigation into her disappearance is still under way, and some of the matters referred to form part of the ongoing police probe,” Spies said.

“We’ve noted the video circulating on several social media platforms; however, the police are in no position to confirm the authenticity thereof.”

Recorded earlier this year

According to information obtained by the George Herald from a trusted source, the video is indeed authentic and was recorded earlier this year, shortly before Sarah’s 17th birthday in June.

The source also confirmed earlier information that Sarah had dyed her hair dark about three weeks before her disappearance, meaning she might look different from the photographs initially circulated when she was reported missing.

The video, which has been shared widely across Facebook and other social media platforms, features a teenage girl identifying herself as Sarah speaking about her experiences in the child welfare system after being placed in care in 2021. In the footage, she expresses deep mistrust of the welfare system, the courts and government, describing herself as unhappy and saying she believes the system failed her.

The video surfaced after reports and social media posts suggested Sarah’s disappearance might have been planned. A woman identifying herself as Sarah’s mother also commented on Facebook, saying her daughter was “safe” and urging people to “leave her alone”.

The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in George continues to investigate the case.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigators is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Brendon Jacobs, on 082 335 1200 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. All information will be treated as confidential.

A screenshot from another video, taken of Sarah the day before she went missing, on Saturday 18 July. Sarah was visiting a shopping centre in Blanco with a friend. This image was shared by the police and CPF in their search for Sarah.