A man imprisoned in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was found dead in his cell Tuesday after a weekend attempt to escape prison in an elaborate costume meant to look like his teenage daughter.
Clauvino da Silva, 42, was accused of being a leader in a notorious Brazilian criminal organization called Red Command. He was serving a sentence of 73 years and 10 months for drug trafficking when he attempted to escape on Saturday in a silicone mask, women’s clothing, a black wig, and glasses. He was stopped by a guard who suspected something was amiss before he was able to walk out of the prison.
Da Silva, who was also known as “Baixinho” or “Shorty,” became internationally known when guards videotaped him removing his suspicious costume.
Da Silva’s 19-year-old daughter had come for a visit Saturday and remained behind in her father’s cell as he headed for the exit. She and eight other people are being investigated under suspicion of helping with the escape effort.
Authorities believed that da Silva hanged himself in his cell after his escape attempt failed. He had been moved to a maximum security prison after being caught on Saturday and was reportedly being held in solitary confinement.
Da Silva was part of a successful escape effort in 2013 in which he, along with dozens of other prisoners, tunneled out of prison to freedom. He was recaptured one month later.
