André Luis Cassimiro

Case identification

André Luis Cassimiro.

Timeline

• May 29, 1996 — Andre Luiz Cassimiro, 31, was arrested in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
• June 19, 1995 — less than five hours after receiving judicial authorization to spend the Corpus Christi holiday at home, Cassimiro committed his first murder.
• May 13, 1996 — Cassimiro killed his last victim, Celia Nicolini de Farias.

Background

Cassimiro was an ex-con with a taste for older women. He was still serving an 11-year 10-month sentence for six counts of theft on a part-time basis. In custody, Cassimiro confessed to the crimes and claimed that he "was drugged" during his year-long rampage. Penitentiary director Jairo Cristovam Ferreira stated: "In jail, he was a model prisoner."

The offence

Five dead women were between 58 and 77 years old and lived alone. All victims were tortured. They were strangled with electrical chords, and some were raped.

Cassimiro explained that he entered the houses to rob them, but ended killing them. He described feeling hate towards the little old women and then feeling nothing afterward.

Cassimiro pretended to be a car washer while observing his future victims. Once inside, he turned into what Chief of Police Jose Marcio Carneiro described as a psychopath.

The women were first bound to their beds and gagged. He raped and strangled them, then covered their lifeless corpses with a blanket because, "I didn't like to look at them." After his ritual, he turned the house upside down looking for money and electronics.

Cassimiro’s modus operandi included burglary and then rape/torture/strangling of women aged 58–77.

Victim 1: Zilda Araujo Barbuth, 76

She was sleeping when Cassimiro entered, but she woke up when he dropped a clock radio. When she tried to scream, he gagged her and tied her with electrical chord to the bed post. He proceeded to rape and strangle her. After the murder, Cassimiro went to the kitchen and ate a piece of goiabada (Brazilian guava candy).

Victim 2: Odete Barbosa da Silva, 62

Cassimiro dated Odete Barbosa da Silva for a year and a half. They ended their relationship in the middle of 1995. Six months later, the 62-year-old woman was found strangled in her home.

Victim 3: Aldenira Mello, 58

Cassimiro did not know Aldenira Mello. She was one of the five women killed during his rampage.

Victim 4: Maria Malvina de Oliveira, 77

Cassimiro met Maria Malvina de Oliveira, 77, at a party for senior citizens. She danced all night long with her young escort before allowing him to walk her home. Her body was found three days later with her head smashed in.

Victim 5: Celia Nicolini de Farias, 74

Cassimiro killed Celia Nicolini de Farias on May 13, 1996. It was believed that the 74-year-old widow was raped by Andre post-mortem.

Investigation and arrest

Cassimiro’s arrest followed information from his sister, Joaquina, who was not aware of his crimes. Joaquina mentioned to a friend that she had seen a card with Zilda Araujo Barbuthunder's name under her brother’s mattress. The friend informed the police and Cassimiro was arrested.

Chief of Police Jose Marcio Carneiro described Cassimiro’s behaviour: "Until he got into the house he behaved like a petty thief," and once inside: "once inside, he turned into a psychopath."

When arrested, Cassimiro explained his actions and feelings. He said: "I entered the houses to rob them," and "but ended killing them. In those moments I felt hate towards the little old women. Now, I feel nothing."

After describing covering bodies, Cassimiro said: "I didn't like to look at them."

Trial and sentencing

Cassimiro was sentenced to life in prison.

Aftermath

Cassimiro’s confession included all the crimes attributed to him during his rampage. Penitentiary director Jairo Cristovam Ferreira said: "In jail, he was a model prisoner."

Quotations

• Cassimiro said: "I entered the houses to rob them," and "but ended killing them. Now, I feel nothing."
• Chief of Police Jose Marcio Carneiro said: "Until he got into the house he behaved like a petty thief,"
• Chief of Police Jose Marcio Carneiro said: "once inside, he turned into a psychopath."
• Cassimiro said: "I didn't like to look at them."
• Cassimiro claimed: "was drugged,"