Brazilian authorities have apprehended a man suspected of killing 16 people in the remote region of Mulungu, located in the northeastern state of Paraíba. The arrest followed a two-day pursuit that ended on September 13, according to Douglas Garcia, the lead police investigator on the case.

The suspect, 33-year-old Jorlan Lopes da Silva, reportedly evaded capture for an extended period by living in makeshift camps within dense woodland. Garcia said da Silva, nicknamed “Mosquito” by locals due to his frail physique, primarily lived in the forested areas, which complicated efforts to connect multiple crimes initially perceived as unrelated. The killings occurred over the past three months in this isolated part of Brazil, approximately 2,500 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro.

Police linked da Silva to the series of crimes after he fatally shot an 18-year-old in a public square. While the suspect has claimed that his victims were all criminals, evidence gathered so far contradicts this assertion. Garcia added that da Silva is cooperating with authorities and has provided information indicating he may have been involved in more crimes than those currently under prosecution; however, details remain confidential as investigations continue.

At the time of his capture, da Silva was dressed in a black and white striped dress, wore a wig, and had painted nails. In a peculiar detail, he was carrying a baby who authorities confirmed was not related to him, but other specifics regarding the child were not disclosed.

Garcia described da Silva as “a very different person,” noting that the suspect admitted to having committed his first killing at the age of 13. The arrest reportedly occurred when da Silva, unable to reach his forest tent, resorted to disguising himself in the dress and wig while holding the baby. This action ultimately led to his capture.

Police have previously stated that da Silva was believed to be a member of a criminal gang responsible for numerous murders in the area. However, he has denied any gang affiliation, telling investigators that he was engaged in “a personal war.” The precise motivation for the killings has not been publicly clarified, and further investigation is ongoing.

The identities of the victims and the circumstances of their deaths have been withheld from the public to protect the integrity of the prosecution’s work. Authorities continue to examine the case to determine the full extent of da Silva’s activities in the Mulungu region.