The man now known as the ‘Monster of São João de Pesqueira’ (Viseu) is still on the run from justice, after having gunned down four female members of his family, killing two outright, almost two weeks ago.
As the Resident went to press, police were reported to have brought in horses to check forestland for Manuel Pinto Baltazar – a 59-year-old whose other nicknames include “Palito” (toothpick) and “Sem Tripas” (without guts).
But as residents affirm: “No one will find him. They can bring horses, armed men and airplanes, but he knows this forest better than anyone.”
The extraordinary story of the violent man who could not accept his wife’s desertion – blaming her mother and other family members – has shocked the nation.
Locals in the area have also spoken of their fear that Baltazar will return to “finish the job”, possibly killing more people in the process.
Thus far, his former wife has escaped the shotgun death her former partner seemed to have planned for her, and she and her daughter are recovering from their injuries.
Police have used helicopters, dogs and scores of officers – but 13 days after the killings of Baltazar’s 82-year-old mother-in-law and her elderly sister, the “monster” is still on the run.
