Luis Alfredo Garavito is a Colombian serial killer who is one of the most prolific and notorious murderers in history. He was born on January 25, 1957, in Colombia. Garavito is also known as “La Bestia” (The Beast) and “Tribilín” due to his boyish appearance, which he used to gain the trust of his young victims.
Garavito’s crimes involved the abduction, rape, and murder of numerous young boys, primarily between the ages of 8 and 16, during the 1990s in Colombia. He is believed to have committed over 100 murders, with some estimates suggesting the number may be much higher, potentially reaching several hundred victims. His modus operandi typically involved luring children with the promise of gifts, money, or jobs, and then subjecting them to horrific acts of violence.
Garavito was apprehended in 1999 and eventually confessed to the murders of 138 children. His actions shocked the world, and his case raised significant concerns about the safety of children in Colombia and the capabilities of the country’s law enforcement agencies to apprehend such a prolific criminal. He was sentenced to 1,853 years in prison, which was later reduced to 22 years due to Colombian law at the time that capped maximum prison sentences. Because of his cooperation with authorities and the information he provided about his crimes and the locations of victims’ remains, his sentence may be further reduced for good behavior. This leniency in sentencing has been a source of controversy and outrage in Colombia.