Manuel Pardo (serial killer)

Manuel Pardo (born September 19, 1956, died February 12, 2012) was an American serial killer, former naval officer, and former police officer.

Pardo, a self-proclaimed vigilante, committed a series of murders in South Florida in 1986, targeting individuals he considered to be drug dealers and criminals. He referred to his killings as "cleansing" the streets of Miami.

Crimes:

Pardo was convicted of nine murders. His victims were often shot at close range. He kept meticulous records of his crimes, including driver's licenses, photographs, and personal effects of the victims, which he viewed as trophies. He also wrote a detailed confession outlining his motives and the circumstances surrounding the killings.

Trial and Conviction:

Pardo was arrested in January 1987 after police connected him to the murders through ballistic evidence and witness testimony. He was tried and convicted in 1988 for the murders, receiving the death penalty.

Execution:

After exhausting his appeals, Manuel Pardo was executed by lethal injection on February 12, 2012, at Florida State Prison. He maintained his innocence and continued to justify his actions as a form of justice until his death.

Background:

Prior to his killing spree, Pardo served in the United States Navy and later became a police officer, but was dismissed from both positions. His past experiences and subsequent dismissal appear to have contributed to his disillusionment and the development of his warped sense of justice.