Zimbabwean banker found dead in US

A ZIMBABWEAN banker who vanished without trace in Philadelphia, United States, last December has turned up dead.

David Taundi's car was found at an accident scene at the 5200 block of Henry Avenue, just west of Philadelphia University, on Saturday, December 15, but he was nowhere to be seen.

A body of a man was discovered from the Wissahickon Creek near Ridge Avenue last Saturday, and on Tuesday police said it had been identified by his family as that of the missing man.

The Medical Examiner's Office, which has not officially confirmed the body to be that of Taundi, said that the identification of manner and cause of death is still pending.

Taundi, 33, worked for the Bank of America and outside of his working hours volunteered for the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Wendy L. Campbell, president and CEO of the Association said her staff is "devastated" by the news of Taundi's death.

"David was more than just an employee to the Association," she said. "He was an honourable, considerate gentleman with an easy smile who believed deeply in our mission.

“David volunteered with several of our committees, including Chocolate Symphony and Junior Committees, outside of his working hours at the Association and Bank of America."

"Our hearts are heavy and we extend our sincerest condolences to his loved ones. David will be deeply missed by many."
 
Search cops said in December that Taundi's Toyota Camry hit a pole, then flipped over on its roof and caught fire.
 
A witness told police a man in dark clothing crawled out of the driver's side and headed west on Henry Avenue.

David was last seen by his father, Elimon Josiya Taundi, on the evening of Friday, December 14 at their home on Dupont Street in Roxborough.

The senior Taundi said at the time that his son had left home to meet a friend while he went to work at the local airport.

He added: “I didn't see him when I came back. It was very, very strange of David. I started calling people, but nobody knew where he was and his phone went to voicemail.”

The discovery is the final step in a search that had his father asking the police to “comb the whole wilderness” for his son.

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