Ex-Military Sergeant Suspected Of Being São Paulo’s “Rainbow Maniac” - A Serial Killer Who Targeted Gay Men

An ex-sergeant has been arrested in São Paulo, Brazil on suspicions of being the so-called “Rainbow Maniac” - a serial killer accused of murdering at least 13 gay men since July of 2007. The victims were all men between the ages of 20 and 40 who were found slain at a park in Carapicuíba, located in the Western outskirts of greater São Paulo. The park, Parque dos Paturis, is a well-known meeting place for gay men. All victims save one were shot to death, the other died after receiving several blows to the head.

The suspect was arrested after a witness claimed to have seen him shoot his last victim 12 times on the night of August 19th. The man is also suspected of having slain a transvestite in a hotel room last October, the bullet shells from that crime matching those found near some of the victims at Parque dos Paturis.

Police Chief Paulo Fernando Fortunato had this to say about the killings in his suburb:

“We are dealing with a suspect who kills homosexuals, exclusively. In his mind, he’s cleaning up the place. He doesn’t like, he hates homosexuals. Who is he? We don’t know.”

One of the supposed victims, Jose Pereira, left behind a wife, six children and 18 grandchildren. His wife says her husband was not involved with men, but would often play guitar in a nearby bar and would leave his car parked near the Parque dos Paturis. A friend of the victim described him as a “womanizer.”

An early suspect, a man being referred to as “Leonardo,” found three of the bodies in the park, but was declared innocent after tests for gun residue turned out negative. He went on to help police and detectives with their investigation, adding:

“People know the risk, but they don’t care. Paturis is our meeting place and no one is going to stop getting it on there because of this whacko.”

You must believe we would be sticking to Manhunt after learning about a serial killer. And then never actually go about meeting with anyone. Instead, we’d stay at home under the covers, nervously eating too many malt balls and praying no one we know goes to that park.

Sargento reformado da PM é preso suspeito de mortes de gays em parque da Grande SP [O Globo]
Brazilian police hunt ‘rainbow maniac’, serial killer of homosexuals [The Sydney Morning Herald]
The Rainbow Maniac: Suspect Of Killing 13 Gay Men Arrested In São Paulo [Made In Brazil]