Colombian authorities are investigating a suspected serial killer's claims that he killed 20 people including his wife and two young children, a prosecutor said today.
The suspect Jaime Martinez told police he killed his wife, their children aged five and seven as well as committing "16 or 17 other murders," senior state prosecutor Luis Gonzalez told reporters.
He was arrested in connection with the killing of a woman found dead in a house in a rural area near the western city of Medellin.
Police investigating that killing traced him to his home and found "blood stains on the walls" as well as clothes belonging to the victim, Gonzalez said.
He said Martinez admitted killing the woman and also owned up to a series of other murders including those of his wife and children, whom he said he strangled last November.
Officials started investigating and have found evidence of a series of other killings. The suspect appeared to have collected victims' clothes and other belongings.
