Serial killer nicknamed Lazarus detained in Brazil

In Brazil, police detained a 33-year-old man nicknamed Lazarus, who is suspected of massacring 16 people. CBS News reports.

Jorlan Alves da Silva, 33, was caught during a police raid in the municipality of Mulungu, Paraiba state, on September 13. In May, the man was released from prison, where he was serving a large sentence for a series of thefts, on parole, and since then he is believed to have killed 16 people. Among his victims, in particular, were two shop owners, a young woman and an 18-year-old boy. When arrested, da Silva was wearing a black women's dress with white stripes and a wig, and his nails were painted. He was carrying a two-year-old boy, who authorities confirmed was not his child.

According to Detective Douglas Garcia, da Silva hid from police in the dense jungle in makeshift camps that allowed him to evade arrest. Local residents nicknamed the criminal Mosquito because of his thin build - this feature, according to the investigator, also helped the serial killer go unnoticed. In the criminal world, he had the nickname Lazarus of Paraiba, which apparently hints at his ability to avoid capture and large sentences.

“Jorlan lived mostly in the woods, which is why he was so difficult to find and connect with crimes that at first seemed unrelated,” Garcia said. The detainee claims that he attacked only criminals, but the evidence collected refute this. Da Silva also testifies about other cases that are being investigated or reopened. The identities of the victims have not yet been revealed so as not to interfere with the investigation.

During interrogation, da Silva stated that he committed his first massacre at the age of 13. Police also say he was part of a gang.