Police have opened an investigation into the death of a former professional footballer feared to have been targeted by three women with a drug dubbed ‘Devil’s Breath’
Police are investigating the death of a former professional footballer feared to have been targeted by three women who knocked him out with a drug dubbed ‘Devil’s Breath.’
Carlos Kaiser, whose club teams included Ecuadorian top-flight side Emelec, was found lifeless on the back seat of his car in the southern part of the port city of Guayaquil in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Distressing photos published by local press showed the barefoot 62-year-old lying on his side with his legs hanging out of the open back door of the vehicle which was parked on a street corner.
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Witnesses have told cops they saw him drive into the area around 2am on Saturday with two women before a third joined them and the trio moved him onto the back seat where he was later found dead.
After they left one of the three is said to have returned with a man who was on a bike to make a failed attempt to start up the vehicle.
Investigators are reportedly focusing on the theory the former footballer, described by witnesses as being drunk when he arrived with his female companions, was drugged with scopolamine.
The substance, known as ‘Devil’s Breath’, is used to prevent motion sickness and nausea but in parts of South America has become associated with criminals who want to turn their victims into zombies and erase their memories so they can rob them more easily.
Guayaquil-based Club Sport Emelec, which plays in Ecuador’s Serie A, said in a statement referencing their old ‘box-to-box’ midfielder by his full name: “Club Sport Emelec expresses its deep sorrow over the passing of Carlos Alberto Kaiser Rivadeneira, who in life was a historic player of our institution.
“Those of us who make up the club send our most heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones for this irreparable loss. May he rest in peace.”
As well as Emelec, the retired footballer also played for Filanbanco, currently in Ecuador’s third-tier league, and Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Portoviejo which is also playing in the country’s Serie A league.
Photos have been published on social media of two women Carlos was allegedly spotted drinking with before he was found dead, although police have not yet said if they are among the suspects.
One of the people who posted the selfies said: “Let’s make the faces of the killers who took Carlos Kaiser’s life away viral. Put these criminals behind bars.”
Kaiser’s most memorable strike was a so-called ‘Olympic goal’ scored directly from a corner kick for Emelec against Catolica in 1991.
Former teammate Alfredo Mera Giler said in his own tribute: “My deepest condolences to the family of Carlos Alberto Kaiser Rivadeneira.” Close friend Jose Iglesias described him as a “humble man with a characteristic laugh.”