Cayetano Santos Godino Argentine serial killer Date of Birth: 31.10.1896 Country: Argentina

Biography of Caetano Santos Godinho

Caetano Santos Godinho was an Argentine serial killer who terrorized Buenos Aires in the early 20th century. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was one of eight sons of Fiore Godino and Lucia Ruffo. Godino's parents had a history of alcoholism and taking out their frustrations on their children. Additionally, Fiore had contracted syphilis before conceiving Godino, which greatly affected his health.

Godino displayed aggressive behavior from an early age, initially targeting cats and birds for his killings. He also developed a fascination with arson. His violent tendencies led to his frequent expulsion from schools, as he had no interest in academics.

At the age of seven, Godino attacked a two-year-old boy named Miguel de Paoli, beating him and throwing him into a ditch. Local authorities intervened, and both the young troublemaker and his victim were taken to the police station. A year later, Godino attacked another neighborhood child, Ana Neri, but no legal action was taken against him for these offenses.

Godino's first significant period of confinement occurred when he was ten years old. His mother discovered that he spent an excessive amount of time masturbating, prompting her to contact the police. Godino was sent to prison for a couple of months.

On January 17, 1912, Godino set fire to a warehouse on Corrientes Street to observe the firefighters in action, particularly interested in potential accidents during extinguishing efforts. Later that month, the body of thirteen-year-old Arturo Laurona was discovered in an abandoned city, likely a victim of Godino's. A few months later, he set fire to the dress of a five-year-old girl named Reyna Vainicoff, resulting in her death from the burns.

On November 8, Godino attempted to strangle eight-year-old Roberto Russo. He was arrested for attempted murder but was released before his trial. Over the remainder of the month, Godino attacked two more children and set fire to two sheds.

On December 3, 1912, Godino lured Jesualdo Giordano into a suburban house, attempting to strangle him with his belt. Failing to succeed, Godino left the house, obtained a nail, and returned. He drove the nail into Jesualdo's skull. While searching for the murder weapon, Godino encountered Jesualdo's father, who was desperately looking for his son. The killer calmly conversed with Jesualdo's father before continuing his search.

Godino managed to conceal the body but was apprehended upon his return to the crime scene. His father quickly discovered his son's remains. Godino confessed to the crime. On January 4, 1913, he was sent to a correctional facility, where he immediately attempted to kill several fellow inmates. A subsequent evaluation deemed him mentally ill, but he spent the rest of his life in prison.

Godino's aggression persisted, evident in his brutal killing of two prison cats in 1933, which resulted in him being severely beaten by other inmates. His health deteriorated, and starting from 1935, he suffered from continuous illnesses. The serial killer died on November 15, 1944, under rather strange circumstances.