Cremer disappeared on Saturday evening. She did not turn up for work on Monday at Woodstock Bakery, where she worked with her brother, Paul.

Linda Mohr, her close friend and neighbour at the Vaderlansche Rietvlei stud farm in Ottery, said she had spoken to Cremer on Saturday afternoon.

The 30-year-old, from Knysna, told her friend she was "all snuggled up and ready for bed" with her new dog.

When Mohr returned home later, she discovered the dog walking around outside Cremer's house and immediately became concerned for her safety.

CCTV footage showed the avid horse rider leaving the house at 6.30pm. That was the last record of her movements.

Cremer's family enlisted the help of Pratten, who told TimesLIVE on Tuesday that he was "covering all possible leads and hoped that they could find a conclusion".

Messages of condolence began to appear on Cremer's Facebook page on Thursday, with Lindy Pienaar saying: "I feel sick, I'm so so sorry Meghan. RIP."

Denise Brown wrote: "Another uncalled for murder of a young lady who worked for a living and died for someone else's greed. I don't know you, Meghan, but I'm heartbroken for what you had to endure."

Sasha-Leigh Young said on Paul Cremer's Facebook page: "Our deepest condolences are sent to you and your family. It is so sad that another life has been taken. Our country needs help. May her beautiful soul rest in peace."