37 Facts About Diogo Alves

Early Life and Background

Diogo Alves, known as "The Aqueduct Murderer," has a chilling history that begins in Galicia, Spain. His early years set the stage for the notorious crimes he would later commit.

1. Diogo Alves was born Diego Álvarez in 1810 to a peasant family in Galicia, Spain.
2. A significant childhood event was falling from a horse and hitting his head, earning him the nickname "Pancada" or "blow" in Portuguese.
3. At 19, his parents sent him to Lisbon, Portugal, to work, marking the start of his life in a new city.

Life in Lisbon

Alves' move to Lisbon was a turning point. His lifestyle and associations in the city led him down a dark path.

4. Initially, Alves worked as a servant for wealthy families in Lisbon.
5. He soon changed jobs, engaging in gambling and drinking, leading to a more dissolute life.
6. During this period, he met innkeeper Maria "Parreirinha" Gertrudes, who played a significant role in his criminal activities.

The Aqueduct Murders

Alves' most infamous crimes took place at the Águas Livres Aqueduct, where he carried out a series of brutal murders.

7. Diogo Alves targeted poor passersby, robbing them and then pushing them off the 65-meter-tall Águas Livres Aqueduct.
8. This method allowed him to avoid identification and present the deaths as suicides, initially hiding his crimes.
9. Between 1836 and 1840, Alves is believed to have killed approximately 70 people.
10. The authorities initially attributed the deaths to suicides, allowing Alves to continue his crimes undetected.

Formation of a Gang

As Alves' luck began to run out, he formed a gang to help him commit more crimes.

11. Alves' gang was involved in breaking into houses and robbing residents.
12. This new strategy eventually led to their capture and conviction.

Capture and Trial

The capture and trial of Diogo Alves and his gang were significant events that brought his reign of terror to an end.

13. In 1840, Alves and his gang were captured and put on trial.
14. The testimony of Maria da Conceição, an 11-year-old girl, was crucial in convicting them for the quadruple murder of a doctor's family members.
15. Diogo Alves was sentenced to death and hanged on February 19, 1841, along with one of his accomplices.

Preservation of His Head

The story of Diogo Alves took an unusual turn after his execution, with his head being preserved for scientific study.

16. Following his execution, Alves' head was severed and preserved in a flask for scientific study.
17. The preservation was inspired by the then-popular practice of phrenology, which aimed to determine character traits by studying the shape of the skull.
18. No significant findings were ever reported from these studies.
19. Today, his head remains preserved in a glass vessel at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Medicine.

Historical Context

Understanding the historical context of Alves' crimes provides insight into the desperation and vulnerability of his victims.

20. The period during which Alves committed his crimes was marked by significant economic and political turmoil in Portugal.
21. The Liberal Revolution of 1820 had led to widespread financial difficulties.
22. The Águas Livres Aqueduct, built in the 18th century, played a crucial role in providing drinking water to Lisbon.

Victims and Methods

Alves' victims were primarily poor individuals, and his methods were both brutal and cunning.

23. Alves' victims were primarily poor passersby known as saloios, who walked into the city daily to sell their produce in the markets.
24. The murder scene was often the walkway atop the Águas Livres Aqueduct.
25. Alves would wait for unsuspecting victims, rob them, and then push them off the edge.
26. The 65-meter drop ensured instant death, and the location provided a secluded spot for his crimes.
27. Alves' method of presenting the deaths as suicides initially succeeded in hiding his crimes.

Gang Activities and Capture

After the aqueduct murders became too risky, Alves formed a gang, leading to their eventual capture.

28. Alves' gang broke into houses and robbed residents.
29. This new strategy eventually led to their capture and conviction.
30. The trial of Alves and his gang was significant due to the substantial evidence presented.

Execution and Scientific Interest

The execution of Diogo Alves marked the end of his life but not the end of his notoriety.

31. Diogo Alves was hanged on February 19, 1841.
32. Following his execution, scientists from the Medical-Surgical School of Lisbon were interested in studying Alves' brain.
33. Alves' head was preserved in a flask using formaldehyde.
34. Today, his head is displayed in the anatomical theatre of the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Medicine.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Diogo Alves' story has captivated the public imagination, inspiring numerous articles, books, and documentaries.

35. Despite the gruesome nature of his crimes, Alves has captivated the public imagination.
36. His preserved head remains a tourist attraction at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Medicine.
37. Alves' legacy extends beyond his crimes, reflecting the scientific and medical interests of the time and highlighting the enduring fascination with serial killers.

The Chilling Legacy of Diogo Alves

Diogo Alves' story is a haunting chapter in Portuguese history. Born in 1810, his life took a dark turn when he moved to Lisbon. There, he became infamous as "The Aqueduct Murderer," pushing victims off the Águas Livres Aqueduct. Between 1836 and 1840, he killed around 70 people, masking his crimes as suicides. His eventual capture and execution in 1841 didn't end his notoriety. Scientists preserved his head, hoping to study his criminal mind, but no significant findings emerged. Today, his head remains at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Medicine, a grim reminder of his deeds. Alves' tale, marked by brutality and cunning, continues to captivate and horrify, reflecting the darker aspects of human nature. His preserved head stands as a testament to the era's scientific curiosity and the enduring fascination with serial killers.