Luis Garavito, "La Bestia"

Luis Garavito, known as "La Bestia" (The Beast), murdered at least 138 boys across Colombia between 1992 and 1999, primarily targeting children from poor families in rural areas. He is considered one of the most prolific confirmed serial killers in modern history.

Capture

Garavito was arrested in April 1999 on suspicion of attempting to assault a boy, and later confessed to the killings in detail, helping investigators locate remains across multiple regions of the country.

Sentence and controversy

Garavito was formally sentenced to a combined 1,853 years in prison, though Colombian law at the time capped actual imprisonment at 40 years, later reduced further because he cooperated with investigators. The prospect of his eventual release drew significant public outrage in Colombia over the following two decades.

Death

Garavito died in prison in October 2023, at age 66, before any release was granted.