Serial killer identified in south Florida

Fernandes and his three victims. Source: WPEC

More than 20 years after his alleged reign of terror began, Roberto Wagner Fernandes, died in a plane crash. He was responsible for three murders over a 14-month stretch according to Broward County officials.

Kimberly Dietz-Livesey was found in a suitcase in Cooper City on June 22, 2000. Sia Demas would be found in a duffel bag at Dania Beach on Aug 9, 2000. Jessica Good would be found floating in Biscayne Bay only three weeks after Sia Demas.

All three victims unfortunately were addicts who hooked to get the cash they needed.

Fernandes lived in Miami despite being a Brazilian citizen until Sep 1, 2001, when he returned to his home country. He would later be killed in a plane crash while traveling between Brazil and Paraguay.

In 1996 Fernandes was accused of brutally murdering his wife in Brazil but ultimately exonerated. Since then in Brazil, he stood accused of a plethora of violent crimes against women, including a 2003 rape, according to officials familiar with the case.

This case is another win for DNA as Fernandes was exhumed twice (2020 and 2021) and his DNA was found on the three dead women.

“Knowing his last minutes on Earth were probably full of terror makes me feel a little better, but at least today we can provide answers to the families as far as what happened to their loved ones and the person who was responsible,” according to Broward County Sheriff’s Office Det. Zachary Scott.

The Broward County Sheriff believes Fernandes may be responsible for other murders in America. They are asking anyone with information to contact them at 954–321–4214.