Security guard feared to be one of world's worst serial killers after 'confessing to murder of 39 people'

Brazil: A security guard has reportedly confessed to shooting dead 39 people during a 10-month killing spree - sparking fears he could be one of the world's worst serial killers.

Thiago Henrique Gomes da Rocha blasted 16 women as well as homeless people and transvestites, according to police.

The 26-year-old, who was arrested on Tuesday, is alleged to have shot all his victims dead from a motorbike after shouting “robbery”, then fled the scenes without taking anything.

The victims included a 14-year-old girl killed in a park in January and two women in their mid-twenties murdered in May.

The random killing spree sparked panic among residents in Goiania, Brazil, and led to a massive manhunt.

Police say the suspect, who lived in the Goias state capital, has also confessed to killing transvestites and several homeless people.

Officers swooped on Gomes da Rocha after discovering he was facing trial for stealing the numberplate on a motorbike at a supermarket in Goiania in January.

Days later he was was stopped by police riding a motorbike with a fake plate.

The suspected murder weapon, a .38 revolver, was seized from the home he shared with his mum during a search along with a motorbike and stolen plates.

He was being held in prison last night after being remanded in custody.