A 26-year-old Brazilian security guard who lived with his mother has confessed to murdering 39 people, which would make him one of the world's most prolific killers.

Thiago Henrique Gomes da Rocha was arrested by police in Brazil when they found he was facing trial for stealing the number plate 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.

After he had been arrested, he confessed to the killings which he put down to the 'fury he felt against everything', which only subsided when committing murder.

The self confessed killer shot his victims dead from a motorbike, while 'cruising the streets'.

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Thiago Henrique Gomes da Rocha (pictured) has confessed to killing 39 people, which would make him one of the world's most prolific killers

Chilling pictures of the objects seized during the arrest of Gomes da Rocha on Tuesday - officers initially targeted him when they discovered he was facing trial for stealing a number plate on a motorbike

Before pulling the trigger, he would always shout 'robbery', but then flee the scene without taking anything

Two of Gomes da Rocha's victims - he confessed to killing 16 women in the city of Goiania, where he lived

Yesterday, he attempted suicide by slitting his wrists after smashing the light bulb in his cell.

Among the victims were 16 women in the city of Goiania.

Most of the women, including a 14-year-old girl killed in a park in January and two women in their mid-twenties murdered in May, were gunned down this year.

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

He was arrested on Tuesday by a special police task force set up to catch the serial killer after the string of unexplained murders caused panic among the local population.

Before pulling the trigger, he would always shout 'robbery', but then flee the scene without taking anything.

Officers swooped on Gomes da Rocha when they discovered he was facing trial for stealing the number plate 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 mother during a search along with a motorbike and stolen plates.

Local reports said he told police before being taken to prison that he killed his victims to alleviate feelings of anxiety.

A hammer, knives and handcuffs were some of the items seized by the special police task force

Police chief Joao Gorski, who revealed Gomes da Rocha had confessed to the murders, said: 'I believe he is a serial killer. To start with he killed at random but towards the end he established a pattern'

If Gomes da Rocha ends up being convicted of the crimes he is said to have confessed to, he will gain a place in the record books as one of the world's worst serial killers

Three victims - a special police task force arrested Gomes da Rocha on Tuesday after the string of unexplained murders caused panic among the local population

Police say the assassin, who lived with his mother in the Goias state capital, has also confessed to killing transvestites and several homeless people, as well as women, two of whom are pictured here

Families and friends of the women murdered this year, including these two victims, staged a series of demonstrations to put pressure on the police and local government

Gomes da Rocha reportedly shot his victims dead from a motorbike and shouted 'robbery' before pulling the trigger

Police chief Joao Gorski, who revealed Gomes da Rocha had confessed to the murders, said: 'I believe he is a serial killer. To start with he killed at random but towards the end he established a pattern.'

Goias state governor Marconi Perillo added: 'I have received confirmation of an excellent piece of news, the identification, arrest and remand in custody of the killer responsible for the deaths of women and street people in Goiania who even confessed to his crimes.

'I never doubted the investigation would lead to the solving of these crimes that affected the tranquility and integrity of families in Goiania.

'I know this won't fill the hole left by the deaths of loved ones but I am sure it will serve as some comfort to their families and society.'

Families and friends of the women murdered this year staged a series of demonstrations to put pressure on the police and local government. They wore white and carried photos of the victims.

If Gomes da Rocha ends up being convicted of the crimes he is said to have confessed to, he will gain a place in history as one of the world's worst serial killers.

The list of the 15 most prolific modern serial killers is topped by Colombian Luis Garavito, a child murderer and rapist known as La Bestia or The Beast.

He is thought to have killed more than 400 mainly street children. His proven victim count is 138.

Pedro Rodrigues Filho, Brazil's most prolific killer, claimed to have killed more than 100 victims, 47 of them inmates. He was convicted of killing 71 people.

He killed his first two victims at the age of 14 and murdered his father and ate a piece of his heart.

Gomes da Rocha was being held in prison last night after being remanded in custody.