9th woman’s body found in same area of South Africa, adding to fears of serial killer

September 17, 2026 / 5:43 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Johannesburg — South African police said Thursday a ninth woman's body has been discovered in an area east of Johannesburg, and said it could be linked to a series of killings they are investigating.

All nine bodies were found in the Ekurhuleni municipality over the last two months, raising concerns that they were carried out by the same person or people. Police previously said that some similarities in the killings of the first eight victims were "sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning."

The discoveries have sent shock waves around the country, sparked a high-level investigation and highlighted the scourge of femicide and high levels of violent crime.

Police said the discovery of the latest body early Thursday "will be added to the investigations into the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni."

Provincial police commissioner Fred Kekana said a passerby found the woman's body near a construction site and alerted police.

The unidentified woman appeared to be about 30 and had an apparent stab wound to her side, while her throat appeared to have been cut, he said. Forensic investigators had not yet determined the official cause of death.

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/