A gang leader in Brazil whose failed bid to escape jail disguised as his 19-year-old daughter made international headlines has been found dead in his cell.
Officials found Clauvino da Silva dead on Tuesday, three days after he was placed in isolation in a high security prison when his escape attempt was prevented. Officials said he died of an apparent suicide, Brazil's Globo reported.
Rio de Janeiro's state secretary of prison administration had released photos showing da Silva wearing a silicone mask, a long wig, glasses, jeans, and a pink T-shirt with donuts on it after being caught out.
His escape attempt was thwarted when prison guards saw him acting nervously, the Associated Press reported.
In a video also released by prison administration officials, da Silva takes off the disguise and some of the clothes before saying his real name.
O traficante Clauvino da Silva, condenado a 73 anos e 10 meses de prisão, foi pego hoje tentando escapar de Bangu 3. Ele usava máscara, peruca e roupas femininas.
The 42-year-old, also known as Baixinho, or “Shorty,” was serving a 73-year sentence for drug trafficking.
He previously escaped Rio’s Gericinó prison in 2013, Globo reported, after fleeing the jail through the sewer. This time the plan was just to walk out through the main door and leave his daughter in his cell.
Da Silva's daughter, Ana Gabriele Silva is among nine visitors suspected to have assisted in the escape attempt.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org.