Brazil Suspect in 16 Homicide Cases Claims He Killed About 80 People After Arrest While Disguised as Woman

A 33-year-old man suspected of involvement in multiple killings in northeastern Brazil reportedly told investigators he had murdered about 80 people during his lifetime, after being arrested by police while attempting to escape disguised as a woman. The claim has not been independently verified, and authorities are currently investigating his possible links to 16 homicide cases.

Jorlan Lopes da Silva was detained in Mulungu, in the state of Paraíba, on Sunday, 13 September, following a police operation. Investigators say they have gathered evidence linking Lopes da Silva to 16 homicide cases, 11 of which he has reportedly confessed to.

Arrest After Elaborate Disguise

Police say Lopes da Silva had been the subject of a major manhunt before officers finally located him. According to investigators, he attempted to avoid being recognised by disguising himself as a woman. He wore a dress and a wig while carrying a two-year-old child who was reportedly not related to him.

He was arrested after about 48 hours of searches. Lopes da Silva initially escaped into a wooded area, where officers continued to look for him. Investigators say he later emerged wearing the disguise and carrying the child.

Lopes da Silva was eventually identified and detained, and his custody was subsequently converted to preventive detention.

According to Detective Marcos Paulo Sales, Lopes da Silva is under investigation for 16 homicide cases, 11 of which he has confessed to. During questioning, he reportedly claimed to have killed about 80 people during his lifetime. He allegedly told officers that his first killing occurred when he was 13, after his father had died.

'During his interrogation, with great composure, Jorlan confessed to several homicide crimes, even revealing that his first crime was committed when he was 13 years old. A peculiarity that hampered the work of the security forces is the fact that Jorlan lives predominantly in wooded areas,' Detective Sales said, adding that Lopes da Silva was considered one of the region's most wanted.

However, police have stressed that the extraordinary figure remains unconfirmed and must be tested against evidence from individual homicide investigations.

Authorities have begun reviewing other homicide cases without identified suspects to determine whether any can be linked to Lopes da Silva.

Police Investigate Criminal Links

Police allege that Lopes da Silva has links to organised crime in the region, including a previous association with the local group Nova Okaida and a later connection to the Rio de Janeiro-based Comando Vermelho. Lopes da Silva has denied being a member of a criminal faction.

Authorities believe several of the killings under investigation may be connected to a territorial conflict between criminal groups. Police say Lopes da Silva had five outstanding arrest warrants when he was captured, including four connected to aggravated murder cases.

His alleged history and the number of killings he has claimed responsibility for are now being examined as investigators work to determine which cases can be substantiated.

The circumstances of Lopes da Silva's arrest have drawn international attention, but authorities have yet to establish that the reported total of 80 victims is accurate. Investigators are now working to establish how many of the killings attributed to Lopes da Silva can be independently connected to him.

Police have reportedly identified at least one burial location using information he provided during questioning.