On October 28, 2015, 21-year-old Dutch medical student Sophia Koetsier disappeared while staying at a safari camp in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda.
Sophia had recently completed her medical internship in Kampala and was traveling through Uganda with two friends before returning home. However, in the days leading up to her disappearance, her behavior raised serious concerns.
While at Kidepo Valley National Park, she displayed unusual actions, including attempting to exit a moving vehicle and starting small fires within the camp. Sophia had a known diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
On the night before she vanished, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a park official discovered her on an elevated platform, hitting interpretive panels and appearing to attempt to set fire to grass near the kitchen area.
The official contacted the group’s tour guide, Michael Kijjambu, and recommended that Sophia be taken to Lacor Hospital in Gulu and that the trip be canceled. Although the guide initially agreed, the group proceeded into Murchison Falls National Park the following day.
Later, Sophia walked toward the bathroom area and was never seen again.
Search efforts began quickly. An empty bottle believed to belong to her was found near a river. The next day, in the same location, investigators discovered pieces of her clothing and her shoes placed high in a tree.
Forensic analysis ruled out suicide, drowning, and animal attack. Investigators concluded that the available evidence supported the likelihood that Sophia had been the victim of a crime involving one or more unknown individuals.
DNA testing confirmed Sophia’s presence on the recovered clothing and also identified an additional, unknown DNA profile.
Further details revealed that the tour guide did not hold valid certification at the time of the trip.
In June 2025, the guide appeared in court, where Sophia’s mother testified. Despite ongoing legal proceedings and investigations, Sophia’s body has never been found.
The case remains open.
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