New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- 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.

Here's what to know about the grim discoveries and the police investigation:

Police looking into whether a serial killer was responsible

The Gauteng provincial commissioner Fred Kekana said police are examining whether the cases are linked, but warned against prematurely describing the deaths as the work of one perpetrator or a serial killer.

"Investigators are considering all possibilities, including the possibility of multiple suspects or separate perpetrators," he said. "Police are comparing the evidence, timelines, locations, victim profiles an...