Emile Ratelband’s family has appealed on social media for information about his whereabouts, saying they have had little contact with him for months. His 17-year-old son Emilio said Ratelband lives in Thailand with his partner Natalia and their two young children, and that family members found the home there empty when they went to check on him. Emilio said he last saw his father on 3 January 2025, after a holiday.

Emilio said occasional messages and a voice message saying Ratelband wanted to be left alone had not reassured him. He suspects, but cannot prove, that Natalia sent the text messages and said he did not believe his father was acting entirely on his own. He also expressed concern about his half-brother and half-sister, aged six and four, with whom the family has no contact. A reward has been offered for information leading to Ratelband’s location.