A former Boy Scout and Marine Corps veteran, Pardo began his law enforcement career with the Florida Highway Patrol, graduating valedictorian from the academy.

[3][2] After some brushes with law enforcement, including one incident involving lying to investigators, Pardo's position at the Sweetwater Police Department was terminated.

Pardo became involved in the drug trade and, in January 1986, killed his first two known victims, Mario Amador and Roberto Alonso, with a .22 caliber Ruger pistol during a robbery.

[1][2] Later that month, Pardo killed Michael Millot, a Haitian anti-Duvalier activist, whom he believed to be a police informant.

Once Millot arrived and became situated in the front passenger seat of the car, Pardo fatally shot him in the head with a 9mm pistol.

I accomplished my mission and I humbly ask you to give me the glory of ending my life and not send me to spend the rest of my days in state prison.

Manny is shown to be seeking recognition for his crimes, wanting to be more infamous than other violent criminals making the news headlines in Miami.

Detective Pardo is gradually revealed to be a serial killer dubbed by the press as the "Miami Mutilator," who investigates his own murders.