A 33-year-old Brazilian man accused of killing 16 people was arrested after spending years avoiding authorities by hiding in remote woodland areas, according to investigators. Jorlan Lopes da Silva, who was known locally by the nickname “Mosquito,” was captured in Paraíba after a two-day police operation.
Investigators said the suspect had been living in makeshift camps deep in the forest, making it difficult for authorities to connect him with several crimes. His arrest came after police linked him to a series of killings in the isolated Mulungu region of northeastern Brazil.
Suspect Allegedly Used the Woods to Avoid Police
Police investigator Douglas Garcia, who led the operation, said Lopes da Silva spent much of his time in heavily wooded areas around Mulungu. His lifestyle and ability to move between temporary camps reportedly made it difficult for investigators to establish connections between crimes.
The nickname “Mosquito” was reportedly given to him by local residents because of his thin physical appearance.
Authorities eventually connected him to other killings after an 18-year-old was fatally shot in a public square. Investigators said the case helped reveal a possible connection between Lopes da Silva and other violent incidents in the area.
Police have also said that additional cases could be reopened as the investigation continues.
Arrest Came After Disguise as a Woman
Lopes da Silva was captured on September 13 while wearing a black dress with white stripes, a wig and painted nails. Investigators said he was also carrying a baby who was not related to him.
According to Garcia, the suspect had been unable to return to one of his camps in the woods and apparently used the disguise in an attempt to avoid recognition while escaping the area.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the child and the suspect’s movements immediately before his arrest.
Police Investigate Additional Alleged Killings
Authorities say Lopes da Silva has provided information suggesting he may have been involved in crimes beyond the killings for which he is currently being prosecuted. Investigators have declined to release details about the victims or individual cases while several inquiries remain active.
Police have said the suspect claimed he targeted criminals, but investigators said evidence collected so far does not fully support that explanation.
Lopes da Silva has also denied being affiliated with a local criminal organization. Instead, he reportedly told investigators that he had been involved in what he described as a “personal war.”
Investigators said the suspect claimed his first killing occurred when he was 13 years old. Authorities are now reviewing previous unsolved cases to determine whether there are additional links to him.
The killings under investigation occurred in Mulungu, a remote area of Paraíba located about 2,500 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro.
