The line separating fiction from reality is sometimes too thin. After all, every writer needs sources of inspiration, whether they be fantastical ideas, breathtaking landscapes, and, of course, stories worthy ofhorror movies. In particular, the world of crime and serial killers often inspires different narratives—ones capable of giving us goosebumps, such as the case of Diogo Alves.
Although, at first glance, his name may mean nothing to you, the fact is that many consider him Portugal’sfirst ‘serial killer.’Known as the ‘Aqueduto de Águas Livres killer,’ he is suspected of having killed dozens of people. Today, his figure continues to ‘haunt’ Lisbon and has even inspired a new audiovisual production, released on TVI and the Prime Video streaming platform.
Who was Diogo Alves?
Introductions aside, now is the time to get to know this terrifying figure a little better. Furthermore, it is worth noting that Diogo Alves went down in history not only as one of the first ‘serial killers’ in Portugal, but also for having been one of the last to be sentenced to death.
According to some sources, he is said to have been born in 1810, in Galicia. Later, while still very young, he immigrated to the Portuguese capital. There, he began working in wealthy households to earn a living. But it seems that this work wasn’t enough, so he turned to a life of crime.
What crimes were committed?
Diogo Alves, or “O Pancada” —the nickname by which he became known—is believed to have murdered at least about a hundred people “just” at the Águas Livres Aqueduct in Lisbon. However, it is impossible to pinpoint the exact number, not least because these crimes aren’t even listed in the court records of his hanging, but we’ll get to that later.
According to some theories, the murders in the historic Lisbon building took place between 1836 and 1839. But who were the victims? And what was his modus operandi? Typically, Diogo Alves would approach his unfortunate victims at nightfall, as they returned home after a hard day’s work.
In this context, washerwomen and farmers were among those who suffered the tragic fate of crossing paths with the ‘serial killer.’ Unsatisfied with merely assaulting his victims, he took advantage of the 65-meter height of the Águas Livres Aqueduct to throw them from the top of the arch, as if it were a suicide.
To carry out these ‘deeds,’ Diogo Alves is believed to have stolen one of the aqueduct’s master keys, allowing him to infiltrate the site without anyone noticing his presence. For some time, the murders went unpunished. Indeed, due to economic and political instability, it was thought that people simply wanted to end their own lives.
“The Crime on Rua das Flores”
The incidents became so frequent that the authorities had no choice but to close the aqueduct. After that, Diogo Alves decided to form a gang and attack residential homes… and that was the beginning of the end for him.
In other words, it was precisely one of these crimes that led him to the gallows. Specifically, the notorious “Crime of Rua das Flores.” It was the year 1839 when Diogo Alves and his “accomplices” broke into the home of the renowned physician Pedro de Andrade, killing him and his family.
His carelessness and the numerous witnesses he left behind served as a warning. However, what truly led the ‘serial killer’ to the gallows was the fact that one of the members of his group was arrested, eventually confessing to the crimes and turning in all his accomplices, including Diogo Alves.
One of the last people sentenced to death
In the end, the terrifying Diogo was sentenced to death by hanging in 1840, with the sentence carried out on February 19, 1841.
However, one aspect that is curious, to say the least, is that, as we have already mentioned, the deaths at the aqueduct do not appear in his court records. Yet this did not prevent the myth from surviving over time.
Head preserved in formaldehyde
Faced with this scenario worthy of a Hollywood movie, yet completely unprecedented in Portugal, his alleged head was handed over to a group of scientists. The goal was to investigate the causes of such cruelty, through a practice known as phrenology, typical of that era.
Even today, Diogo Alves continues to terrify those who visit him at the old Anatomical Theater, currently part of the Institute of Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon.
Preserved in formaldehyde, with a sarcastically calm expression, Portugal’s most famous ‘serial killer’ stares at us with wide-open eyes, knowing that his story has crossed borders!
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and now on WhatsApptoo !