Is this the most evil serial killer you’ve never heard of? Luis Alfredo Garavito killed 140 kids in just 5 years and may have murdered hundreds more
IT'S one of the most horrific serial killer stories you'll ever hear, which makes it all the more amazing that it's not well known.
In 1999, Luis Alfredo Garavito Cubillos was arrested in Colombia and he confessed to murdering 140 kids.
He was charged with killing 172 altogether, but some of the cases are ongoing. It's thought he could have been responsible for hundreds more deaths, with the number sometimes put as high as 400.
Known more commonly as Garavito, he's been dubbed the worst serial killer in the world and has been nicknamed 'The Beast'.
His crimes took place for the five years ending in his arrest in 1999 , with the youngest of his victims just six years old. The majority of his victims were aged between eight and 16.
Many of the children lived on the streets and he targeted them by making friends first of all, often giving them little presents or money.
He sometimes used disguises to gain their trust, dressing as a monk or a street vendor, which is often what their parents did for money. He also pretended to be a teacher and charity worker on occasions, and also pretended to be disabled so people would feel sorry for him.
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When they felt comfortable with him, Garavito would take them on long walks which ended with them tired and somewhere secluded, then rape them. The victims were tortured, strangled and dismembered.
Colombian police first thought they might be dealing with a serial killer in 1998, when they found 36 bodies in a mass grave in a city called Pereira.
At first it was thought a cult could be behind the deaths, but then a country-wide investigation began.
Garavito - who was sometimes known as The Crazy One or The Priest - was taken into custody on suspicion of raping a 12-year-old, which was when the link was made.
When his home was searched newspaper clippings of some of the victims were found, with Garavito eventually confessing to killing in 54 cities across the country and in Ecuador.
He cooperated with police, and some of his victims' remains were found after he drew maps to show police where he'd hidden their skeletons.
Due to Colombian law, the maximum prison sentence Garavito could be given was 30 years. As he'd been helpful to police though, this was reduced and he was put behind bars for just 22 years.
There have been reports he may even be able to get out earlier if he behaves well.
This has been slammed by many in the country, and there have been calls for him to be imprisoned for longer.
Since his case was heard, the law has been changed so a sentence of 60 years is now possible.
Now 59, Garavito was born in Genova, Quindio, Colombia.
He had six younger brothers and during his trial he said he'd been sexually abused when he was growing up.
According to police reports, he would often drink too much and become aggressive. When this happened, he would move on to another area of the country as he never really settled in one place.