A man who Brazilian authorities say killed 16 people lived in the woods to avoid capture and was nicknamed “mosquito” by locals because of his frail build, the Brazilian police investigator responsible for his arrest said Monday SAO PAULO -- A man who Brazilian authorities say killed 16 people lived in the woods to avoid capture and was nicknamed “mosquito” by locals because of his frail build, the Brazilian police investigator responsible for his arrest said Monday. Douglas Garcia, the investigator who led the two-day pursuit for 33-year-old Jorlan Lopes da Silva that ended on Sep. 13, told The that the suspect used to hide in the thick bush in his own makeshift camps. The killings linked to da Silva occurred within the last three months in the isolated region of Mulungu in Brazil’s northeastern state of Paraiba.
The investigator said the serial killer claims he has only attacked criminals, but evidence collected thus far shows that was not the case. Garcia also said da Silva is providing evidence he committed more crimes than those he is being prosecuted for but added he cannot discuss further details as some investigations continue and others are being reopened. The investigator said the identity of the victims and details about their deaths are being kept confidential so the prosecution can do its work.
Da Silva was captured wearing a black dress with white stripes, a wig and painted nails. He was carrying a baby that authorities confirmed was not related to him, but they did not provide any other details. Police said at the time that da Silva was a member of a criminal gang that has killed dozens of people in the region.
He denies any affiliation with local gangs and told investigators upon his arrest that he was “in a personal war.” The region of Mulungu, where the recent killings took place, lies 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events
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