Born in Colombia's western coffee-growing region, Gavarito was the
oldest of seven children. He was repeatedly beaten by his father and
raped by two male neighbors. Garavito was also a heavy alcoholic, and
was treated for depression and suicidal tendencies.

Garavito apparently committed his first murder in 1992. Authorities were
unaware of the alleged serial killer until 25 bodies were found in the
western city of Pereira. The victims -- mostly boys between 8 and 16 -
were found with their throats slit. Some showed signs of torture and
rape.

On October 30, 1999, Colombian announced that Luis Alfredo Gavarito
confessed to raping, torturing and killing 140 children in a five-year
killing spree. "Luis Alfredo Garavito has admitted the murder of about
140 children of which we have so far found 114 skeleton," chief
prosecutor Alfonso Gomez told a news conference.