The world’s most prolific child rapist and murderer will not be considered for early release from prison, a Colombian judge ruled Tuesday.
Luis Alfredo Garavito, dubbed “The Beast,” was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2000 for the rape and murder of 111 children between the years of 1992 and 1999 — although estimates of his total number of victims have exceeded 300. His sentence was later reduced to 24 years after Garavito co-operated with authorities in locating the bodies of several victims.
Garavito has so far served just over 12 years — but last May Colombian Senator Gilma Jimenez sparked speculation that the killer might qualify for a much earlier release date after completing study hours that contribute to reduced sentences.
The vice president of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council, Ovidio Claros, has now issued a statement confirming that no application for early release has been received from Garavito’s defense team, and that the issue would not be considered “for a long time”, according to newspaper El Espectador.
Garavito has admitted to murdering children in neighbouring Ecuador, for which he has already been sentanced to 22 years in prison by the Ecuadorian authorities. Whether Garavito could be extradited to Ecuador following completion of his sentence in Colombia is the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice, according to El Espectador.
Garavito is believed to be the world’s second most prolific mass murderer, having admitted to 138 counts of the rape and murder of children. British doctor Harold Shipman had more proven victims, but did not target children.