Suspected serial killer who claims 80 victims was caught disguised as woman
AUTHORITIES in northeastern Brazil have arrested a suspected serial killer linked to at least 16 killings in just three months, while investigating whether he may be responsible for dozens more.
Jorlan Lopes da Silva, 33, was arrested in Mulungu in the Brazilian state of Paraíba while dressed as a woman and carrying a toddler, according to local outlets O Globo, Record R7 and iG Último Segundo.
According to O Globo, the arrest took place on Sunday, Sept. 13.
The arrest was the culmination of a 48-hour effort by local police to arrest him, O Globo and iG Último Segundo reported.
Police believe he had killed 16 people since the end of May, the outlets reported.
Lopes da Silva had allegedly evaded police while wearing a dress, a wig, women’s sandals and sunglasses, and wore nail polish, O Globo and iG Último Segundo reported, citing investigators’ accounts.
He also was allegedly carrying a 2-year-old child who is not his as part of his effort to evade police, according to O Globo, Record R7 and iG Último Segundo.
Police identified Lopes da Silva when a part of his dress shifted and exposed a tattoo, according to investigators, O Globo and iG Último Segundo reported.
The child received medical attention and is physically unharmed, per iG Último Segundo.
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Lopes da Silva, who is already suspected in 16 murders, allegedly told police he has killed 80 people in a span of two decades, starting when he was 13 years old, Record R7, O Globo and iG Último Segundo reported.
His first victim was his father, he allegedly told police, per Record R7.
Police located at least one site where a body is buried based on information Lopes da Silva provided to police, O Globo reported. They are continuing to investigate the other cases.
It wasn’t immediately clear if he has been charged.
