Diogo Alves: Portugal's First Serial Killer's Chilling Tale

Diogo Alves, a name that sends shivers down the spines of history enthusiasts, is renowned as Portugal's first recorded serial killer. His gruesome acts in the 19th century not only terrorized Lisbon but also left a macabre legacy that continues to fascinate and horrify. Understanding the full scope of Alves's crimes requires delving into the historical context, his methods, and the eventual capture and aftermath that cemented his place in criminal history.

The Early Life and Descent into Crime

Diogo Alves was born in 1810 in the rural countryside of Galicia, Spain. He later moved to Lisbon, Portugal, seeking work and a new life. Initially, Alves worked as a servant, but the allure of easy money soon led him down a dark path. It is believed that his early experiences with poverty and the stark social inequalities of the time fueled his resentment and contributed to his transformation into a criminal. His descent into crime was gradual, starting with petty theft and escalating into more serious offenses. As he became more involved in the criminal underworld of Lisbon, Alves began to associate with other criminals, further solidifying his path toward violence and murder. This early period of his life provides crucial context for understanding the motivations behind his later, more heinous crimes.

Alves's criminal activities began to escalate as he discovered a particularly lucrative and terrifying method of operation. He targeted poor travelers and farmers who came to Lisbon to sell their goods. These individuals often carried large sums of money, making them easy targets. Alves would lie in wait on the Aqueduto das Águas Livres, a towering aqueduct that supplied water to the city. This location was isolated and poorly lit, making it an ideal spot for his nefarious activities. He would rob his victims and then, to eliminate any witnesses, throw them off the aqueduct to their deaths, staging the scene to look like suicides. The height of the aqueduct ensured that his victims would not survive the fall, and the lack of witnesses meant that Alves could continue his crimes with little fear of being caught.

The Aqueduto Murders

Between 1836 and 1840, Diogo Alves committed a series of brutal murders that earned him the infamous title of Portugal's first serial killer. His modus operandi was chillingly consistent: he would rob his victims on the Aqueduto das Águas Livres and then throw them off the structure to ensure their deaths. The height of the aqueduct, which stood at over 65 meters (213 feet) in some places, guaranteed a fatal fall. Alves's choice of location was strategic; the aqueduct was a known spot for travelers and farmers entering Lisbon, making them easy targets. Furthermore, the area was relatively isolated, which reduced the risk of witnesses. This calculated approach allowed Alves to continue his reign of terror for several years. The authorities initially attributed the deaths to suicides, a misjudgment that allowed Alves to evade capture for an extended period. The sheer audacity and brutality of these crimes shocked the city of Lisbon and instilled a deep sense of fear among the population.

The impact of the Aqueduto murders on Lisbon was profound. The city was gripped by fear as rumors and speculation spread about the mysterious deaths on the aqueduct. Travelers and farmers became increasingly reluctant to enter Lisbon, fearing that they too would become victims. The local authorities, initially baffled by the series of deaths, struggled to maintain order and reassure the public. The press played a significant role in fueling public anxiety, with sensationalized stories about the aqueduct murders appearing regularly in newspapers. This widespread fear had a tangible effect on the city's economy, as trade and commerce suffered due to the reluctance of people to travel to Lisbon. The Aqueduto das Águas Livres, once a symbol of the city's engineering prowess, became a symbol of terror and death. The atmosphere of fear and uncertainty persisted until Alves was finally apprehended for his crimes.

Capture and Trial

Diogo Alves's reign of terror came to an end not because of the Aqueduto murders directly, but rather due to a separate incident. In 1840, Alves and his gang broke into the house of a local doctor, where they committed a robbery and murdered the doctor's family. This crime proved to be Alves's undoing. Unlike the aqueduct murders, which were initially mistaken for suicides, the murder of the doctor's family was immediately recognized as a criminal act. The authorities launched a full-scale investigation, and it was not long before Alves and his accomplices were identified and apprehended. The investigation into the doctor's family's murder uncovered evidence that linked Alves to the earlier deaths on the aqueduct. Witnesses came forward with information, and the authorities began to piece together the full extent of Alves's crimes. The trial of Diogo Alves was a major event in Lisbon, attracting widespread public attention. The evidence against him was overwhelming, and he was ultimately found guilty of multiple counts of murder. His conviction marked the end of a dark chapter in Lisbon's history and brought a sense of closure to a city that had been living in fear.

The trial of Diogo Alves was significant not only for bringing a serial killer to justice but also for the impact it had on the Portuguese legal system and society. The case highlighted the need for more sophisticated methods of investigation and crime detection. The initial failure to recognize the Aqueduto murders as the work of a serial killer underscored the limitations of the existing law enforcement capabilities. The trial also sparked public debate about the causes of crime and the effectiveness of the justice system. Some argued that Alves's crimes were a product of the social and economic inequalities of the time, while others called for harsher punishments to deter future offenders. The Alves case served as a catalyst for reforms in the Portuguese legal system, leading to improvements in forensic science and criminal investigation techniques. Furthermore, the trial brought about a greater awareness of the phenomenon of serial killers and the need to understand the psychological factors that drive such individuals. The legacy of the Alves trial continues to influence criminal justice practices in Portugal to this day.

The Aftermath and Scientific Interest

Following his conviction, Diogo Alves was sentenced to death by hanging. He was executed on February 19, 1841, becoming one of the last people to be executed in Portugal before the abolition of the death penalty. However, what happened after his execution is perhaps even more intriguing. In a bizarre twist, Alves's head was severed and preserved in a jar for scientific study. This decision was made by phrenologists, who were interested in studying the shape and size of his skull in an attempt to understand the criminal mind. Phrenology, a pseudoscience that claimed to be able to determine personality traits and mental abilities based on the measurements of the skull, was popular at the time. Scientists believed that by studying the skulls of criminals like Alves, they could identify the physical characteristics that predisposed individuals to commit crimes. Alves's head remains preserved in the Anatomical Theatre of the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Medicine, serving as a macabre reminder of Portugal's first serial killer and the scientific theories of the 19th century.

The preservation of Diogo Alves's head for scientific study reflects the prevailing scientific attitudes and theories of the 19th century. Phrenology, despite being discredited today, was a widely accepted field of study during that era. Scientists believed that the shape and size of the skull could reveal insights into an individual's personality, intelligence, and criminal tendencies. The decision to preserve Alves's head was driven by the desire to understand the biological basis of criminal behavior. Researchers hoped that by examining his skull, they could identify specific features that distinguished him from non-criminals. This approach was consistent with the broader scientific trend of seeking to explain human behavior through empirical observation and measurement. While the scientific value of these studies is now considered dubious, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the history of criminology and the evolution of scientific thought. The preserved head of Diogo Alves remains a tangible link to this historical period, serving as a reminder of the complex interplay between science, society, and the understanding of crime.

Diogo Alves's Legacy

Diogo Alves's legacy extends beyond his gruesome crimes and the macabre preservation of his head. He remains a figure of dark fascination in Portuguese history, a symbol of the violence and social inequalities that plagued 19th-century Lisbon. His story has been retold in books, documentaries, and even fictionalized accounts, ensuring that his name continues to evoke a sense of horror and intrigue. Alves's case also serves as a reminder of the importance of effective law enforcement and forensic science in bringing criminals to justice. The initial failure to recognize the Aqueduto murders as the work of a serial killer highlights the dangers of overlooking patterns and the need for thorough investigation. Furthermore, Alves's story underscores the social conditions that can contribute to crime, including poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity. By understanding the factors that led Alves down a path of violence, we can gain insights into the prevention of crime and the promotion of social justice.

The story of Diogo Alves continues to resonate today because it touches on fundamental aspects of human nature and society. His crimes raise questions about the causes of violence, the nature of evil, and the role of social factors in shaping individual behavior. The macabre preservation of his head serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which science has gone in its quest to understand the human mind. Alves's legacy is a complex and multifaceted one, encompassing elements of horror, fascination, and social commentary. He remains a figure of enduring interest, a dark chapter in Portuguese history that continues to captivate and disturb. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked violence and the importance of addressing the root causes of crime. In conclusion, Diogo Alves's chilling tale is a significant part of Portugal's history, providing insights into 19th-century society, the evolution of criminology, and the enduring fascination with the criminal mind.