Brazilian police arrested on Thursday a man who admitted killing 42 victims in the past ten years.

The suspect, 26-year-old Sailson Jose das Gracas, confessed at a Rio de Janeiro police station that he killed for "pleasure" and he craved the adrenaline rush that went with a kill.

Das Gracas said he would wait for a chance to break into a victim's house and kill, adding he planned his attacks well, often watching his victims' movements for months before making a move.

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He said his likely targets were white females, whom he usually strangled. Among his supposed 42 victims, 39 are believed to be female.

The self-confessed serial killer told media he would get nervous when he did not kill and after taking his victim's life, he would go hunting for other prey.

Das Gracas also confessed he worked as a killer for hire.

The suspect's arrest came barely months after a security guard admitted killing 39 people, most of them homeless people and transgendered women, in Brazil's city of Goiania.

Das Gracas said he usually took the nails of his victims to prevent marks or scratches in case of a struggle.

He claimed his wife was aware of the serial killings.

According to his confession, he committed his first crimes when he was 15 years old, stealing handbags.

When he turned 17, he claimed killing his first victim.

Behavior scientists say Das Gracas fits the profile of a psychopath who revels in limelight. Police were convinced by Das Gracas' account. They were checking his confessions against records of past crimes. Authorities said four crimes had been matched so far.