Prisoner who dressed up as daughter in escape bid found dead

A Brazilian gang leader, whose failed prison escape attempt made headlines around the world when he dressed up as his daughter, was found dead in his jail cell Tuesday.

Prison officials had proudly publicized catching the felon in his escape attempt are now embarrassed by his death in custody.

Clauvino da Silva, also known as "Shorty," had tried to leave the prison in the western part of Rio de Janeiro dressed as a woman but his nervousness gave him away.  His plan was apparently to leave his 19-year-old daughter inside the jail. Police are looking into her possible role as an accomplice in Saturday's failed escape attempt from Gericinó prison.

Rio's State Secretary of Prison Administration released photos showing da Silva in a silicon girl's mask and long dark-haired wig, wearing tight jeans and a pink shirt with a cartoon image of donuts. They also released a video in which da Silva can be seen removing the mask and some of the clothes and saying his full name.

Authorities say da Silva was part of the leadership of the Red Command, one of the most powerful criminal groups in Brazil that controlled drug trafficking in a large part of Rio.

 After the failed escape bid, da Silva was transferred to a unit of a maximum-security prison, officials said.

He was found hanged in a cell.  He apparently used a sheet to kill himself.

With the Associated Press.