Series Description:South African Serial is a 12-part true crime anthology series. Each episode investigates one unforgettable South African crime.
Episode Description:In our first episode, we unpack the disturbing case of Stewart “Boetie Boer” Wilken — one of South Africa’s most dangerous serial killers. With a history of necrophilia, cannibalism, and a terrifying God complex, Wilken confessed to 12 murders and was convicted of 7.
This episode draws from exclusive case files and a rare two-day prison interview conducted in 2006. It’s a harrowing journey into the making of a monster.
New episodes drop weekly — first for members, then a week later for YouTube and all podcast platforms.
Next episode premieres 14 May on Spotify and all major podcast apps.
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This week: one of the rarest — and most horrifying — crimes on earth. A baby ripped from the womb in a violent act of theft.
We go deep into the case of Loretta Cook, a 24-year-old from Toekomsrus, whose web of lies led to murder and left a newborn fighting for life.
South Africa has seen not one, but at least three known caesarean kidnappings — an almost unheard-of crime globally. Why here? Why now?
Gerard Labuschagne and Paul Llewellyn unpack:
Why women fake pregnancies and kill to make them real
How these crimes are planned, not impulsive
What forensic psychology reveals about killers who seem "normal"
And how society’s pressure to be a mother can turn deadly
🔪 This is true crime at its most disturbing — and most revealing.
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He murdered his family with an axe — thencalmly called emergency services like nothing happened.
We're digging into one of South Africa’s mostshocking crimes: the brutal axe murders committed by 20-year-old Henri van Breda.
In 2015, inside the family’s luxury estate inStellenbosch, Henri killed his parents and brother—and nearly murdered his teenage sister, who somehow survived. The aftermath? A strange 911 call, self-inflicted wounds, and a trial that exposed chilling levels of control, detachment, and deceit.
What turns a privileged young man into a familyannihilator? What does the psychology say about motive, manipulation, and remorse? And how close did he come to getting away with it?
We unpack the twisted mind behind the massacre,the forensic psychology, and the courtroom battle that followed. With expert insight from Dr. Gerard Labuschagne, former head of SAPS’ Investigative Psychology Unit.
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We're stepping out of the morgue and into the mind — with one of the world’s top forensic psychologists.
This week on Profiler Africa, our guest is Dr. Helinä Häkkänen, a Finnish powerhouse whose work has shaped war crimes trials, courtroom psychology, and criminal investigations from South Africa to The Hague. With over 60 publications and a career advising the ICC and European law enforcement, she’s the real deal — no drama, just science.
We unpack what real profiling looks like — far from the TV nonsense. From prepping witnesses for court using cutting-edge trauma techniques, to the psychological anatomy of sex crimes and stalking, Dr. Häkkänen lays it bare. Plus: what it’s like working on the frontline of war crime prosecutions, and the ethical minefield of being an expert witness.
Forget the trench coats and catchphrases. This is profiling, unplugged.
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#ProfilerAfrica #TrueCrimePodcast #ForensicPsychology #CriminalProfiling #DrHelinäHäkkänen #WarCrimes #ExpertWitness #PsychologyOfCrime #BehindTheProfile
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we take a deep dive into the terrifying case of Stewart Wilken, South Africa's most notorious serial killer. Wilken's killing spree, which spanned the early 1990s, left a trail of horrific murders that shocked the nation. Through an in-depth analysis of his background, his brutal crimes, and the dark psychology behind his actions, we uncover the twisted motivations that drove his reign of terror.
From his troubled childhood in Boksburg to his descent into violence, we’ll explore how Wilken’s traumatic experiences shaped his need for power, control, and revenge. We’ll also break down the disturbing details of his crimes, including necrophilia and cannibalism, and discuss how his chilling confessions and obsessive behavior contributed to his infamy.
🔍 Get a rare look into the mind of one of South Africa's most infamous killers and the psychological factors that led to his violent rampage.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #StewartWilken #ForensicPsychology #CriminalMind #SAJustice #PsychologyOfMurder #CrimeSceneInvestigation
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by Colonel (Ret.) Kirsten Clark, former SAPS Investigative Psychologist and Criminal Behaviour Specialist, to discuss the chilling case of Kyle Ruiters. Clark conducted a psychological assessment of Ruiters in 2019, offering rare insight into his mindset, disturbing obsessions, and the dark psychological profile that emerged from her report.
Ruiters, who brutally murdered and dismembered his victim, displayed traits of narcissism, manipulation, and a dangerous preoccupation with control and power. In tonight’s episode, we’ll unpack Clark’s findings, from his early childhood issues to his fascination with serial killers and his disturbing lack of empathy. We’ll also explore the broader implications of personality disorders in violent offenders and what this case reveals about criminal psychology in South Africa.
🔍 Get an inside look into the mind of a killer and the complex psychological factors that drive violent crime.
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In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by Jana Marx, author of The Krugersdorp Cult Killings: Inside Cecilia Steyn's Reign of Terror, as she takes us through the disturbing story of the Electus Per Deus cult. Between 2012 and 2016, a group led by Cecilia Steyn carried out a series of brutal murders, driven by religious extremism, manipulation, and revenge. Steyn used her influence to brainwash followers into believing they were on a divine mission, leading to a chilling and violent rampage.
Jana’s book exposes the twisted inner workings of this cult, and in this episode, we’ll walk you through the gruesome details of the murders, the complex investigation, and the eventual trial that brought the perpetrators to justice.
🔍 Get an inside look into the shocking world of cults, brainwashing, and the devastating impact of their actions.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #CultKillings #SAJustice #CrimeReporting #InvestigativeJournalism #ElectusPerDeus #CeciliaSteyn
What really happens inside South Africa’s courtrooms? What is it like to cover the country’s most gripping murder trials?
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we sit down with Jana Marx, an award-winning journalist and true crime author, to uncover the hidden world of crime reporting. From high-profile cases to shocking behind-the-scenes moments, Jana shares what it takes to bring the truth to light.
🔍 Get an insider’s look at true crime journalism, the challenges of reporting on brutal cases, and the stories that have stayed with her over the years.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #CourtroomSecrets #SAJustice #CrimeReporting #CriminalMinds #InvestigativeJournalism #InsideTheCourtroom
The Oscar Pistorius trial remains one of the most infamous criminal cases in South African history. Twelve years after Reeva Steenkamp’s tragic death, the case continues to spark debate about justice, privilege, and rehabilitation.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne, who was part of the prosecution team, joins Paul Llewellyn to break down the facts. What really happened on that fateful night? What do we know for certain? And how did the case evolve through the legal system—from trial to sentencing to parole?
🔊 Listen in as we unpack the key moments, forensic evidence, and legal battles that shaped this case.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #OscarPistorius #ReevaSteenkamp #JusticeSystem #ForensicAnalysis #SouthAfricanCrime #CriminalPsychology #ParoleDebate #InvestigativeJournalism
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by one of South Africa’s most respected legal minds, Gerrie Nel.
With a career spanning decades, Nel has prosecuted some of the country’s most high-profile cases, including the conviction of former police chief Jackie Selebi and leading the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. We explore his early years as a prosecutor, the challenges of working within South Africa’s complex legal and political landscape, and the lasting impact of his work on the justice system.
From his time with the Scorpions to his current work with AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, Nel offers unparalleled insight into the evolving landscape of South African law and what it takes to fight for justice in a system under pressure.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanCrime #GerrieNel #OscarPistorius #JusticeSystem #SAJustice #CrimeAndLaw #CriminalProsecution #InvestigativeJournalism
In 1994, ex-cop Marius van den Heever was convicted of three brutal murders, arson, and weapons theft. Sentenced to life, he spent decades behind bars—until 2018, when the High Court overturned his denied parole and set him free.
How does a convicted killer walk free? What changed?
In this episode of Profiler Africa, Paul Llewellyn and forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne break down the case. Gerard personally assessed van den Heever for parole in 2014, offering rare insight into a man who convinced the system he was no longer a threat.
We dissect the crimes, the parole process, and the psychology behind "rehabilitation."
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #ParoleDebate #JusticeSystem #ForensicAnalysis #SouthAfricanCrime #CriminalPsychology #MurderInvestigation #CrimeAndPunishment #SAJustice #CrimeDocumentary #InvestigativeJournalism #PsychologyOfCrime #CriminalMind
In October 2021, respected pastor Liezel de Jager returned home from her morning jog—only to be ambushed and murdered just steps from her front door. The attack was brutal, the motive unclear. Years later, her husband, Werner de Jager, was arrested for the crime—but before he could stand trial, he took his own life.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we delve into the psychological complexities of intimate partner homicide. What drives a spouse to kill? Why do some offenders display post-crime remorse, while others show none?
Joining us is criminologist Naomi Griffiths, a former SAPS investigator with years of experience in serious and violent crime. Together, we analyze the forensic details, behavioral red flags, and the justice system’s handling of the case.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanCrime #ForensicFiles #PsychologyOfMurder #SAJustice #CriminalMind #IntimatePartnerHomicide
In 2002, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne walked into his first crime scene—a brutal murder that would lead to the capture of Axe Killer Jose da Silva. But what happened next was even more chilling.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we take you inside the case with rare, unnerving audio of Gerard’s interview with the killer—recorded just hours after his arrest, in the very bathroom where the murder took place. It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the mind of a murderer and the investigative process that ended his reign of terror.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanCrime #ForensicFiles #CrimeSceneInvestigation #PsychologyOfMurder #SAJustice #CriminalMind
Forensic pathologists uncover the final truths that the dead leave behind. Their work tells the untold stories of crime, tragedy, and justice—one autopsy at a time.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we sit down with Dr. Hestelle van Staden, a forensic pathologist dedicated to deciphering the secrets held within the human body. From high-profile murder cases to overlooked tragedies, she reveals the reality of unnatural death in South Africa and the vital role forensic pathology plays in the pursuit of truth.
Dr. van Staden is the author of Outopsie: Bloed Vertaal ’n Storie and features in the TV series Outopsie, bringing her knowledge to the public in a powerful way.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #ForensicPathology #SouthAfricanTrueCrime #HestelleVanStaden #BodyOfEvidence #Autopsy #CrimeInvestigation
Forensic pathology is at the heart of criminal investigations—determining causes of death, uncovering hidden evidence, and bringing crucial facts to court. But what really happens behind the autopsy table?
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by Dr. Shakeera Holland, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand. With years of experience overseeing hundreds of cases annually for the Gauteng Department of Health, Dr. Holland provides expert insight into the challenges, advancements, and real-world impact of forensic pathology.
From unraveling complex deaths to the evolving science behind autopsies, this discussion sheds light on how meticulous forensic work helps solve crimes and deliver justice.
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In rural South Africa, a grim discovery: human remains with no identity, no backstory, and no immediate leads. How do forensic experts step in to solve the mystery?
From analyzing bone fragments to DNA profiling and isotopic science, forensic specialists use cutting-edge techniques to uncover who the victim was, where they came from, and what happened to them. These methods not only help solve crimes but also provide closure to families searching for answers.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic scientist Lawrence Hill joins us to explore the fascinating process of identifying unknown human remains. A lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, Lawrence breaks down the science, the challenges, and the human impact behind this critical work.
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On the night of June 23, 2017, Mariska du Plessis made two chilling calls to the police. In the first, she claimed her husband was violently attacking her and their son. Less than 20 minutes later, her second call told a different story—Jacques du Plessis had been shot by intruders.
But what really happened that night?
Mariska later claimed self-defense, citing battered woman syndrome, but investigators uncovered evidence of a volatile and destructive relationship where both partners contributed to a cycle of conflict and dysfunction. This case raises complex questions about domestic violence, legal defenses, and the psychological factors at play in relationships that turn deadly.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne, who worked directly on the case, breaks down the events of that night, the psychological intricacies of Mariska’s defense, and the deeper truths behind Jacques du Plessis’s death.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanTrueCrime #JacquesDuPlessis #MariskaDuPlessis #DomesticViolence #ForensicPsychology #CrimeInvestigation #MurderCase
In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne unpacks the shocking murder of Gabriela Kabrins Alban, a successful marketing executive from California who was found brutally killed in a Cape Town hotel room. Her boyfriend, Diego Novella, a wealthy Guatemalan national with a history of drug use, was later convicted of her murder.
We explore the toxic dynamics of their relationship, the psychological factors behind the crime, and the chilling details that made this case one of South Africa’s most disturbing. What really happened behind closed doors, and what does this case reveal about intimate partner violence and the criminal mind?
Listen now for an in-depth analysis of a case that gripped South Africa and the world.
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#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #GabrielaKabrinsAlban #DiegoNovella #ForensicPsychology #SouthAfricanCrime #CrimeAnalysis #Justice
