In a major breakthrough, Brazilian authorities have apprehended a man they describe as an 'exterminator of the homeless,' connecting him to a series of brutal murders spanning two states. Marcelo Campos de Jesus, 37, was arrested following the fatal attack on Vanilson Pereira in the city of Serra, Espírito Santo, and investigators have since linked him to six additional homicides in Bahia.
The investigation began after the assault on Vanilson Pereira, 50, on April 27. Security footage captured the suspect meticulously surveying the area to ensure no witnesses were present. He then retrieved a concrete block from a nearby manhole cover and violently struck the sleeping victim in the head. After the attack, the assailant calmly searched Pereira's pockets, stealing a wallet containing only R$12, before carefully replacing the concrete block to conceal evidence and walking away.
Pereira was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries after nearly ten days of hospitalization, passing away on the night of May 5. His mother, Eva Pereira, shared that her son had been living on the streets for 30 years, a path that began after falling into depression following his brother's death in a traffic accident.
Following Marcelo Campos de Jesus's arrest on April 28, the investigation expanded dramatically. Police officials, including Delegate Rodrigo Sandi Mori, revealed that the suspect's violent pattern was not isolated. He is now the prime suspect in six other murders committed in Bahia between November 2025 and April 2026, with most victims also being homeless individuals.
The list of suspected victims includes Marilene da Ressurreição Lopes, 42, found in a vegetated area with head trauma in November 2025; Valdemar da Silva, who died after physical assaults later that same month; and Jandira Luz Nascimento, 51, and Djalma Vilela Pereira, 50, found dead with head injuries in a double homicide in February 2026. Two other unidentified male victims were killed in April 2026, one found in a tire shop and another at a bus shelter.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly showed a chilling disregard for his actions, stating he used the stolen money to buy candy and phone chips. Authorities emphasized the premeditated and predatory nature of the crimes, noting the suspect specifically targeted vulnerable individuals sleeping alone in isolated locations.
The case has highlighted the extreme vulnerability of homeless populations and the methodical cruelty of the crimes. The arrest was made possible through the analysis of security camera footage from the final attack, which provided the crucial evidence needed to identify and capture the suspect.
Based on reporting from g1.