Man says he murdered more than 40 people in 9 years

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian police say they have arrested a man who allegedly has confessed to the murders of more than 40 people since 2005.

Police say they arrested Sailson Jose das Gracas Wednesday shortly after he allegedly stabbed a woman to death in the Rio de Janeiro suburb of Nova Iguacu.

"He confessed he killed another 37 women, three men and a 2-year-old girl over the past nine years," a police officer said by telephone. "He either stabbed his victims or strangled them."

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Inspector Pedro Henrique Medina told the G1 news portal that das Gracas showed no remorse and "told us that if he is ever released from prison he would kill again."