Profiler: True Crime Africa

In 2005, Jessica Wheeler and Victoria Stadler were murdered less than a month apart in Knysna.The crime scenes appeared very different. But investigators began to suspect that the two young women had been murdered by the same offender.Dr Gérard Labuschagne — then Commander of the SAPS Investigative Psychology Unit — was brought into the investigation to conduct a behavioural linkage analysis.DJ Heinrich van Rooyen was eventually convicted of both murders and sentenced to two life terms. But he has always maintained his innocence.In this episode of PROFILER, Gérard takes us inside the original investigation: how the murders were linked, how behavioural linkage works, the differences between MO and signature, why Van Rooyen became a suspect, the DNA and other forensic evidence, his changing versions of events, and what ultimately happened in court.We also hear from investigator Mike Bolhuis, who was involved in the case at the time.More than twenty years later, Van Rooyen remains in prison and arguments about his guilt continue.The linkage analysis concluded that one offender murdered both women. But was Heinrich van Rooyen that offender?Did they get the right man?Contact: [email protected]

Brian Mudyiwayana did not rely on force to find his victims.He relied on trust.Lt Col Elmarie Myburgh joins Paul Llewellyn and Dr Gérard Labuschagne to take listeners inside one of South Africa's most disturbing serial murder investigations.The discussion explores how promises of employment and relationships became methods of victim selection, how investigators linked murders across multiple towns through behavioural analysis, victimology and forensic evidence, and what Myburgh observed during her interview with Mudyiwayana after his conviction.The conversation also examines offender psychology, post-offence deception, rehabilitation, parole and why power, control and excitement became central to the court's understanding of the offender.Brian Mudyiwayana was convicted of six murders and sentenced to six life terms plus 17 years' imprisonment.