José Dorángel Vargas Gomez, also known as Dorángel Vargas or the infamous “People Eater,” is a well-known criminal in Venezuela.
His life journey began in a challenging upbringing in rural Mérida and led to gruesome murders on the streets, culminating in a shocking prison riot where inmates lost their lives and were purportedly consumed as food.
Born on May 14, 1957, in the small village of Caño Zancudo, Mérida, Vargas grew up in a family of impoverished farmers. His parents were associated with the Venezuelan Liberation Forces, patrolling the borderlands alongside guerillas. Local residents later claimed that Vargas exhibited signs of being “possessed by evil spirits” from a young age. His formal education was limited, only attending school up to the sixth grade.
As a young adult, Vargas distanced himself from his family and lived a transient lifestyle. His criminal activities initially involved minor offenses such as stealing poultry and livestock, establishing a pattern of opportunistic crime.
In 1995, Vargas encountered serious trouble with the law when he killed and cannibalized a fellow transient named Baltazar Cruz Moreno.
Subsequently, Vargas was placed in the Peribeca Psychiatric Rehabilitation Institute for two years following the murder. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia but was eventually released, despite concerns about his violent inclinations.
In the late 1990s, Vargas returned to the streets, this time in San Cristóbal, Táchira state, where he embarked on a spree of murders between November 1998 and January 1999. He targeted fit men, such as laborers, athletes, and occasional drinkers, using weapons like a metal spear or rocks to bludgeon them to death. He reportedly avoided women, children, the elderly, and overweight individuals based on personal preferences for the quality of flesh.
After killing his victims, Vargas dismembered their bodies, consuming some parts, cooking others, and storing them in containers, while disposing of the remains in various ways. His preferred cuts were from the thighs and calves, occasionally adding tongues to stews or incorporating eyes into soup, while avoiding hands, feet, noses, and ears.
The heinous extent of his crimes was uncovered in February 1999 when authorities found the remains of two men near a park. Further investigations revealed six additional bodies, containers of human flesh and organs, and various severed body parts in a shack where Vargas resided. He confessed to murdering and consuming at least ten men during this period.
Upon his apprehension, Vargas gained national notoriety, earning the moniker “The Hannibal Lecter of the Andes,” likening him to the fictional cannibal character.
Psychological assessments indicated that Vargas suffered from paranoid schizophrenia with psychopathic traits, rendering him legally non-responsible in Venezuela’s legal system. Due to the lack of appropriate psychiatric facilities for long-term confinement, Vargas was placed in a secure prison in Táchira, where he is closely monitored to prevent further violence.
Despite being incarcerated, Vargas’s violent tendencies persisted. In October 2016, unrest at the Táchira Detention Center evolved into a violent uprising, resulting in the brutal murders of two inmates, Juan Carlos Herrera Jr., 25, and Anthony Correa. Reports emerged alleging that portions of their bodies were fed to other prisoners during the chaos.
Eyewitness testimonies and investigations suggested that Vargas, known for his cannibalistic acts, was recruited by a gang to carry out the dismemberments. Some inmates reportedly consumed the flesh unknowingly, while others were coerced. Those who refused to participate faced severe consequences, including mutilation.
The government acknowledged the deaths but did not officially confirm the cannibalism allegations, emphasizing the need for scientific evidence in the investigations. However, accounts from prisoners and families lent credibility to the disturbing claims.
Currently, Vargas remains isolated in Táchira, under close supervision due to his erratic and violent behavior.
Unapologetic about his crimes, Vargas openly discussed his actions in interviews, stating, “I used to eat the thighs, not the nose, ears, or hands because they are too tough. If I saw a drunkard sleeping, I would kill him with my spear, cut off his head, and feel content.”
“I want to return there and dig a large hole to bury them. I feel no shame. They have unjustly imprisoned me here.”