South African Ambassador Found Dead in Paris Near Hyatt Hotel

In Paris, the body of South Africa’s ambassador to France Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa was found at the foot of the Hyatt hotel, a few hours after he was officially declared missing, prosecutors in the city said.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the body was found beneath the Hyatt hotel on Tuesday. It is also reported that the diplomat had booked a room on the 22nd floor, and the locked window in the room had been forcibly opened; a duty investigating judge was at the scene.

The ambassador’s wife filed a missing-person report on Monday, explaining that she had received from him a “disturbing message” that raised concerns.

CNN contacted Hyatt Group management and Hyatt Regency, but did not receive a response. The South African Embassy in Paris also did not comment on the incident.

Nkosinathi, 58, was appointed ambassador to France in 2023.

This news is developing and will be updated as needed.

Current information and next steps in the investigation

The investigation is in its early stages: investigators from the Paris prosecutor’s office and local police are at the scene, gathering evidence and awaiting further explanations from the relevant authorities.