New leads in Rodney Leysner case after intensive search in Saramacca

The search for Rodney Leysner with ten specialised rescue dogs from the Netherlands has concluded without finding the missing man or a body. However, police stress that the deployment was not without results. According to the Korps Politie Suriname (Suriname Police Force), relevant leads were obtained during the operation and are now being further investigated.

What exactly those leads entail has not been disclosed for the time being. According to police, releasing details could affect the ongoing criminal investigation. The case is being handled by the Kapitale Delicten department, which has carried out several investigative actions since Leysner’s disappearance and is receiving support from other specialised units.

Rodney Leysner has been missing since Saturday, August 15, 2026. He left home that day and did not return. His disappearance was officially reported to police on Sunday, August 16. In the days that followed, the investigation developed from a missing-person case into a major criminal investigation after several circumstances reinforced suspicions of a serious crime.

Rescue dogs search for Rodney Leysner in Saramacca

The search with the rescue dogs took place at several locations between September 2 and 6, mainly in the district of Saramacca. One of the main search sites was the location where the burned-out and crushed vehicle had previously been excavated. Technical examination of the chassis number showed that it was the Kia Sorento Leysner had been driving. The Korps Politie Suriname previously officially confirmed that identification.

The property of detained suspect R.E. and an adjacent site were also examined. Police kept the search locations under strict control during the operation. According to the information provided, the Calcutta police ensured 24-hour security of the crime scene so that unauthorised persons could not enter the area and potential evidence would not be disturbed.

The dogs did not find Leysner, but according to police the investigation did gain new leads.

Leads remain confidential due to investigative interests

On Saturday, September 5, the rescue dogs were also deployed for further examination of the vehicle wreck. The vehicle had by then been transferred to a police location. Although no body was found there either, police state that the Dutch team’s overall deployment yielded information that may be significant for the follow-up investigation.

Police are not disclosing details about the nature of the leads. As a result, it cannot currently be determined what significance the findings will ultimately have for the case. The KPS maintains that information will only be made public when this does not harm the interests of the investigation. It is therefore not responsible to speculate about the content of the leads.

Burned-out Kia Sorento an important lead in investigation

The disappearance previously took a different turn when a burned-out and crushed vehicle was found and excavated in Saramacca. Forensic and technical examination subsequently showed that the chassis number matched the vehicle Rodney Leysner had been driving. That finding became an important part of the criminal investigation and led to further searches in the area.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the case. In addition, Ryan Kenneth Torilal is being sought by the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service) as a suspect. The procureur-generaal previously ordered that he be traced, arrested and brought before the authorities. Police have so far not made public a full reconstruction of what investigators believe happened to Leysner. Nor has it been made public what specific role each suspect is alleged in the case file to have played.

Dutch rescue dog team deployed at family’s request

The arrival of the Dutch rescue dog team followed a request from the family. The team arrived in Suriname on Monday, August 31, and consisted of 15 staff members and ten specialised rescue dogs. The deployment took place under the leadership of the Surinamese police and under conditions set by the Openbaar Ministerie. The investigation had to remain entirely under Surinamese direction.

Several specialised departments were involved in the preparation and execution. In addition to Kapitale Delicten, Forensische Opsporing and the Drone Unit participated. Bestrijding Zware Criminaliteit was also involved in coordinating the operation. According to earlier information from police spokesperson Michel Elskamp, the KPS does not have the same specific capacity to deploy rescue dogs for this type of missing-person investigation. The arrival of the Dutch team was therefore intended to provide additional search capabilities.

Earlier search operation followed by Key News

Key News previously reported that the dogs would be deployed at different locations and that police had called on the public not to enter the search areas. This was intended to prevent bystanders from hindering the work or disturbing potential evidence. Also read the earlier report on the search for Rodney Leysner with specialised dogs from the Netherlands.

Stichting Reddingshonden RHWW, which provided the dogs and handlers, is a Dutch volunteer organisation specialising in searches for missing persons. The foundation trains teams for search work in different types of terrain and works with police and other emergency services during deployments. More information about the organisation can be found at Stichting Reddingshonden RHWW.

Investigation into Rodney Leysner continues

With the completion of the operation, the Dutch rescue dog team’s deployment in Suriname is also coming to an end. The team will return to the Netherlands on Tuesday, September 8. Police have not indicated that all search activities in the case will end as a result. The team’s departure mainly means that this specific phase of the investigation has been completed.

Rodney Leysner has still not been found. The Kapitale Delicten department is continuing the criminal investigation and will further assess the leads obtained. According to police, new information will be shared as soon as the interests of the investigation allow. This leaves the central question in the case unanswered for the time being: what happened to Rodney Leysner?