‘Serial killer’, 33, confesses to ‘80 murders in 20 year spree’ after trying to escape police by dressing as woman

A SUSPECTED serial killer has confessed to 80 murders committed during a 20-year spree in Brazil, according to police. Jorlan Alves da Silva, 33, was snared after trying to escape officers while dressed as a woman – disguised in a wig, dress and with painted nails. Suspected serial killer Jorlan Alves da Silva, 33, tried to escape police while dressed as a woman Credit: Civil Police of Paraíba He has reportedly confessed to 80 murders committed over 20 years. Credit: Military Police of Paraíba The suspected killer was also trying to blend in at a police checkpoint by carrying a two-year-old boy, who cops say isn’t related to him. He has been linked to 16 killings in just three months, but claimed a murder count more than four times higher. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Police captured him after an intense 48-hour manhunt in Mulungu, a municipality in the northeastern state of Paraiba. It came 20 days after his near-arrest on a federal highway when two other men were detained. They remain under investigation for crimes committed in the region. Police said the fugitive used wooded areas to hide, which made it difficult to track him down after the crimes. He was eventually identified by the large tattoo on his chest hidden under the women’s clothing he was wearing. Cops say they are now working on trying to establish whether Alves da Silva, who has claimed he killed first aged just 13, really has committed that many murders. Most read in The Sun The 16 killings he has been linked to occurred in a three-month period since his latest release from prison in May. They are said to include the murders of two shopkeepers on August 1 in Rio Tinto, another municipality in Paraiba. He is also being investigated over the death of a young woman whose body was found after he told cops where it was buried. Police chief Douglas Garcia said of Alves da Silva’s confession: “It is a very significant number. We believe that, if it is not that number, it is something very close to it.” He added: “He coldly confessed to several murders, even revealing that his first crime was committed at the age of 13, during his interrogation.” The suspected serial killer reportedly told cops the victims were criminals and he spoke of a “clean-up”, although this has not been confirmed. He has been described as a suspected member of a Rio de Janeiro gang operating in Paraiba. Five warrants were out for his arrest before he was captured, including four for aggravated murders. The child with him when he was taken into custody is said to be doing well. No information has been released about the youngster’s identity and police are said to be investigating how the two-year-old ended up with Alves da Silva. Comment now