Five years after he was last seen, the body of German yachtsman Manfred Fritz Bajorat has been discovered off the coast of the Philippines.
The body was found in a mummified state, still on-board a yacht called the Sajo, the vessel from which Bajorat went missing.
The perfectly preserved corpse, which was discovered after two local fisherman alerted authorities about the drifting yacht, was found slumped over a table near the on-board radio telephone. It is not yet known how long Bajorat had been dead before his body was discovered.
According to emerging stories, Bajorat’s fateful journey began in 2008. He was sailing with his ex-wife Claudia, now deceased, who is believed to have left the yacht shortly after commencing the voyage.
ABC reports various possessions were found on board the yacht, including personal items that contributed to Bajorat’s identification.
Authorities recovered photos of Bajorat’s family, and according to The Sun, the image below features his wife, daughter Nina, a friend and his partner. Authorities also uncovered his sailing documentation along with the yacht’s GPS and radio. His wallet could not be found.
Authorities also uncovered an emotional letter on the sailor’s online forum. The note, addressed to his ex-wife, read: “Thirty years we’ve been together on the same path. Then the power of the demons was stronger than the will to live. You’re gone. May your soul find its peace. Your Manfred.”
Claudia died of cancer in 2010.
The mummified state of Bajorat’s body can be attributed to dry ocean winds and salty air, and local police have stated there are no clear signs pointing to foul play. Local police spokeswoman Goldie Lou Siega added, “We have no evidence of a second person aboard and no weapon was found on the yacht.”
Based on the position in which the body has been found, German forensic criminologist Dr Mark Benecke suggested Bajorat’s death was likely sudden and unexpected. “The way he is sitting seems to indicate the death was unexpected, perhaps from a heart attack,” he told BILD newspaper.
However, Inspector Mark Navales has said that the discovery and cause of death is “still a mystery” to authorities.
BILD also spoke with a sailor previously in contact with Bajorat known as Dieter, who described the man as an “experienced sailor.” Bajorat is thought to have had around 20 years of sailing experience.
The German embassy within the Philippines is now working to get in contact with members of Bajorat’s family.
Top Comments
I feel like this story needs to come with a warning because of the graphic images. I was not expecting to see them. The ones of him whilst he was alive, sure.. his family, sure.. his boat sure.. his corpse? No. I actually do not feel these should be on the internet at all, not just because they're shocking but it's disrespectful of the man himself.
It's like his memory has been dessicated!
Must have been dessicating news for the family...
Okay bad puns aside it is pretty ghoulish showing the pictures in mainstream media and people with better taste than me have a point about it being shown.