Worst serial killer in modern history becomes eligible for parole next year

Colombian serial killer Luis Garavito who raped, tortured, mutilated and killed over 190 boys and young men is up for parole next year.

The murder also called La Bestia meaning 'The Beast' has the highest number of victims among serial killers in the world. Garavito originally confessed to murdering 140 boys - since proven to be 193 victims in total - between six and sixteen years old, from 1992 to 1999. He is suspected of murdering over 300 victims.

He mostly raped and tortured street children.

By posing as a monk or priest he would lure children with offers of money or drink.

The killer claimed to feel a force within himself that compelled him to murder children, rooted in the abuse he experienced as a child.

Garavito experienced psychosis, paranoia and depression and sought psychiatric help on several occasions.

Investigations into the murders began when authorities discovered a mass grave over 35 children. Almost all of them were boys and had with signs of binding, sexual assault, and prolonged torture.

Police handout

Police initially suspected the killings were done by a Satanic cult or an international child-trafficking ring due to the brutality.

Garavito feel asleep at one murder scene with a cigarette in hand that lit the field on fire. He burnt himself and left behind his money, burnt glasses, shorts, shoes, and underwear.

Detectives then began suspected Garavito and contacted his girlfriend who had not seen him for months.

She turned over a black suitcase he had left to her which contained pictures of young boys, detailed journals of his murders, and tally marks of his victims.

Garavito was eventually arrested for the attempted rape of a boy, but gave a false name to the police. A DNA test then confirmed his identity.

He was initially found guilty on 138 of the 172 accounts, with others ongoing. Garavito was then sentenced to 1,853 years and 9 days in prison, the lengthiest sentence in Colombian history.

However, Colombian law changed and limited imprisonment to 40 years. His sentence was further reduced to 22 years because he had helped police find the victims' bodies. He is now scheduled to become eligible for parole next year.

The serial killer previously requested early release last year and the national prison institute asked a judge in May to grant him provisional release because of his 'exemplary' behaviour in prison.

The judge denied the request as Garavito had not yet paid a fine for his victims of $41,500 (34,200).

Garavito previously tried to minimise his actions in an interview with journalist Journalist Guillermo Prieto La Rotta in 2006 where he said he would like to start a political career to help abused children.