Brazilian model Eliza Samudio was killed in June 2010 after a paternity and custody dispute with football goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza; he was later convicted of her murder.
Eliza Samudio — Credit: Repórter Brasil Online, CC BY 2.5 BR, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5
Eliza Silva Samudio was born on February 22, 1985, in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. She moved to São Paulo at eighteen to pursue modeling, initially supporting herself through sex work before appearing in fashion shows, editorials, and, according to her lawyer, pornographic films between 2005 and 2009 under the name Fernanda Farias.
Samudio met goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza, known as Bruno, around 2008–2009. The two had a relationship that ended in August 2009 after Samudio told Bruno she was pregnant and refused to have an abortion. In October 2009, Samudio filed a police complaint alleging she had been held against her will by Bruno and two associates, known as "Russo" and "Macarrão," and forced to take abortive substances; she also alleged assault, including that Bruno pointed a gun at her head. A request for protective measures under the Maria da Penha Law was denied by a judge who ruled that Samudio and Bruno did not have a qualifying intimate relationship. Forensic testing related to the alleged abortive substances was not completed until July 2010, after Samudio's disappearance was already being investigated as a homicide.
Samudio gave birth to a son on February 10, 2010, in São Paulo. Bruno initially refused to acknowledge paternity. Samudio subsequently filed a paternity claim and sought child support.
According to police investigation, Samudio traveled to Bruno's farm in Esmeraldas, Minas Gerais, on June 4, 2010, reportedly believing a settlement negotiation would take place. She disappeared during that visit; investigators estimated her death occurred on June 10, 2010. Bruno claimed she left the farm voluntarily and abandoned her child, who was later found in a favela in Ribeirão das Neves. On June 26, 2010, Minas Gerais Civil Police named Bruno a suspect. On July 6, 2010, a 17-year-old relative of Bruno's told police he had struck Samudio, after which she was allegedly taken to Minas Gerais, dismembered, and her remains disposed of, including partial entombment in concrete; police stated this account was not confirmed. A former police officer, referred to in reporting as "Neném," "Paulista," or "Bola," was arrested on July 8, 2010, in connection with the case. Courts in both Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais issued preventive detention orders for Bruno and several other individuals in July 2010.
Trial proceedings began in Contagem, Minas Gerais, on November 19, 2012, before a popular jury. Multiple defendants and their attorneys were involved, and the trial proceeded with several procedural disputes. One co-defendant, known as Macarrão, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for kidnapping and murder. On March 8, 2013, Bruno was sentenced to 22 years in prison for assault, torture, and murder. Bruno was ultimately released after serving ten years of a sentence described as fifteen years.
A separate family court ruling required Flamengo, Bruno's football club, to pay child support from his earnings; the club contested this, citing suspension of his contract, and appealed the decision.
Eliza Silva Samudio is born in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil.
2009-08
Bruno ends his relationship with Samudio after she announces her pregnancy and refuses an abortion.
2009-10-13
Samudio files a police complaint alleging false imprisonment, forced abortive substances, and assault by Bruno and associates.
2010-02-10
Samudio gives birth to a son in São Paulo.
2010-06-04
Samudio travels to Bruno's farm in Esmeraldas, Minas Gerais.
2010-06-10
Estimated date of Samudio's death, according to investigators.
2010-06-26
Minas Gerais Civil Police declare Bruno a suspect in Samudio's disappearance.
2010-07-06
Bruno's 17-year-old cousin is found and gives testimony implicating himself and others in the assault and disposal of Samudio's body.
2010-07-07
Justice of Minas Gerais issues preventive detention orders for Bruno and seven others.
2010-07-08
Former police officer known as "Neném"/"Paulista"/"Bola" is arrested by Minas Gerais Military Police.
2012-11-19
Trial begins in Contagem, Minas Gerais, before a popular jury.
2013-03-08
Bruno is sentenced to 22 years in prison for assault, torture, and murder.
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Titles and descriptions are the creators’ own and may not reflect current legal status; see the dossier above for sourced case facts.
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People
Fernanda Gomes de Castro
CHARGED
Described as the goalkeeper's ex-girlfriend; co-defendant in the trial
Wemerson Marques de Souza
CHARGED
Co-defendant in the trial of Samudio's killing
Maria Aparecida Mallet
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Delegate from the Specialized Police Station for Women (DEAM) of Jacarepaguá who compelled Bruno to keep distance from Samudio in 2009
Eliza Silva Samudio
VICTIM
Brazilian model killed in June 2010
Marcos Aparecido dos Santos
CHARGED
Former police officer, known as Neném, Paulista or Bola; charged in connection with Samudio's killing
Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza
CONVICTED
Convicted and sentenced to 22 years for assault, torture and murder of Eliza Samudio; per Wikipedia, released after serving 10 years of a described 15-year sentence
Luiz Henrique Ferreira Romão
CONVICTED
Known as Macarrão; sentenced to 15 years in prison for kidnapping and murder
Elenilson Vitor da Silva
CHARGED
Co-defendant in the trial of Samudio's killing
Dayanne Rodrigues do Carmo Souza
CHARGED
Bruno's wife; investigated in connection with the case and stood trial
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Archival records
portrait victim
Eliza Samudio
Credit: Repórter Brasil Online, CC BY 2.5 BR, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5 · Source
Brazilian model Eliza Samudio was killed in June 2010 after a paternity and custody dispute with football goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza; he was later convicted of her murder.
Where did the murder happen?
Esmeraldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Who was convicted?
Bruno Fernandes das Dores de Souza (Convicted and sentenced to 22 years for assault, torture and murder of Eliza Samudio; per Wikipedia, released after serving 10 years of a described 15-year sentence) and Luiz Henrique Ferreira Romão (Known as Macarrão; sentenced to 15 years in prison for kidnapping and murder).
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