Former South African Police Service (SAPS) criminal profilers and forensic psychologists have urged police to treat the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni as a potential serial-murder investigation, while authorities caution that it is too early to conclude that a serial killer is responsible.
The discovery of nine women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni since July has attracted widespread attention and prompted former SAPS profiling specialists to call for a coordinated investigation into possible links between the cases.
The latest discovery was made in Dawn Park on Thursday, 17 September, bringing the number of women whose bodies have been found in the municipality during the period to nine. Police have confirmed similarities in some of the cases, including several victims being found naked or partially clothed. However, investigators have not established that the deaths were committed by one person or group.
Former SAPS profiler calls for serial-murder approach
Dr Gérard Labuschagne, former head of the SAPS Investigative Psychology Section, has argued that investigators should approach the cases within the framework used for serial-murder investigations.
Labuschagne said the geographical proximity, timeframe and similarities in victimology justified bringing specialist serial-murder investigators into the investigation before a definitive link between the cases had been established.
He has stressed that this approach would not amount to declaring that a serial killer is responsible. Instead, it would allow investigators to systematically compare the cases and ensure that potentially important links are not missed.
According to Labuschagne, investigators would typically examine similarities involving the victims, causes of death, locations where bodies were found and the manner in which bodies were left. Forensic evidence such as DNA and fingerprints could then help establish whether individual cases are connected.
Former profiler Elmarie Myburgh raises concern
Former SAPS investigator and criminal profiler Elmarie Myburgh has similarly called for the deaths to be investigated as potentially connected cases.
Myburgh said the number of bodies discovered within a relatively concentrated geographical area, together with similarities in how some victims were found, raised immediate concerns for her.
She acknowledged that investigators cannot yet conclude that the deaths were committed by a serial offender, but argued that treating the cases as potentially linked could prevent investigators from losing valuable time.
If forensic evidence later establishes that the cases are unrelated, the investigations can still be separated, she said.
Myburgh has emphasised the importance of examining seemingly minor details at individual crime scenes, including victim profiles, forensic evidence and the circumstances surrounding each death.
Pistorius points to patterns investigators should examine
Dr Micki Pistorius, a pioneer of psychological profiling within SAPS, has also said the circumstances surrounding the Ekurhuleni deaths warrant serious consideration of a possible serial offender.
The former profiler has pointed to the importance of examining behavioural and geographical patterns, including where victims were found and how offenders may use South Africa’s extensive open spaces and terrain.
The observations are part of expert analysis and do not constitute a police finding that the murders are connected.
SAPS warns against premature conclusions
Police have repeatedly cautioned against labelling the deaths as the work of a serial killer before the forensic and investigative evidence has been assessed.
SAPS has established a multidisciplinary team to investigate the cases, with specialist detectives, forensic experts, tracking resources, K9 capabilities and investigative psychology involved.
Police are examining whether the cases are connected while also considering the possibility that they involve different perpetrators.
The approach reflects the central question investigators are trying to answer: are the similarities between the cases evidence of one offender, multiple offenders, or unrelated murders?
The ninth body was discovered in Dawn Park on 17 September. Police said the woman was also found partially naked, a circumstance similar to several of the previous discoveries.
Investigation remains ongoing
The cases have attracted national attention, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for the murders to be prioritised. Police have also appealed to the public for information that could assist investigators.
The discovery of the bodies has generated widespread speculation about a possible serial killer, but SAPS has not confirmed that a serial killer is operating in Ekurhuleni.
For now, the distinction remains important: former profiling specialists are recommending that police investigate the cases as potentially linked serial murders, while the official investigation continues to establish whether the evidence supports that conclusion.
What you need to know
• Nine bodies: Nine women’s bodies have been discovered in Ekurhuleni since July.
• Possible similarities: Several victims were found naked or partially clothed, while investigators have identified other similarities requiring forensic examination.
• Expert view: Former SAPS profilers have urged investigators to use a coordinated serial-murder investigation approach.
• Police position: SAPS has not confirmed that a serial killer is responsible and has warned against premature conclusions.
• Multidisciplinary investigation: Specialist detectives, forensic experts, K9 resources, tracking capabilities and investigative psychology are involved.
• Evidence remains key: DNA, fingerprints, victimology, crime-scene evidence and geographical and behavioural patterns will be important in determining whether the cases are connected.
