South African police investigate possible serial killer near Johannesburg
Police in South Africa are investigating whether a possible serial killer is responsible for the deaths of five women whose bodies have been found near Johannesburg in less than two months.
The latest victim, 38-year-old jogger Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, was found Sunday in Rhodesfield, an area of Kempton Park east of Johannesburg. She had been reported missing after leaving for an afternoon run in the neighborhood on Sept. 9.
The first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found near a highway on July 15. She was naked and appeared to have been restrained with cable ties, authorities said. One person was arrested in connection with that death and remains in custody.
The body of a 32-year-old woman was found partially clothed near the R21 highway on Aug. 24. On Sept. 10, authorities found an unidentified woman’s naked body in an advanced state of decomposition. Two days later, they found the partially clothed body of another 38-year-old woman behind a hotel.
“Preliminary information gathered by detectives indicates concerning similarities in the circumstances surrounding the deaths,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement. “The bodies of the women were found half naked and with visible bruising, and the discovery sites are located within the same vicinity.”
“While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations,” police added.
Police urged women in the area not to walk or run alone, especially in isolated places, while the investigation continues.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
