The 10 Most Shocking Crimes in Brazil: Where Are the Convicted Today 🔍⚖️
Brazilian true crime has particularities that make it unique in the world: a legal system that limits the maximum sentence to 40 years (before 2019 it was 30), a regime progression system that allows those convicted of heinous crimes to serve part of their sentence in freedom, and a media culture that transforms trials into national spectacles.
Several of these cases became documentaries on Netflix, Globoplay, and HBO Max — proof that decades later, the public continues seeking answers. Here are the 10 that most shook the country, with updated information on where the convicted are in 2026.
1. 🏴 PCC and Marcos Willians "Marcola" — Organized Crime as a Business
The Case
The First Capital Command (PCC) was born in 1993 inside the Taubaté Custody House, as a response to the inhumane conditions of São Paulo's prison system. What began as a prisoner self-defense organization transformed into the largest criminal organization in Latin America, with operations in all 26 Brazilian states and branches in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Colombia.
Marcos Willians Herbas Camacho, known as "Marcola," rose to leadership in the 2000s and transformed the PCC into a near-corporate operation: with bylaws, monthly contributions (the "tithe" of R$500-700 per member), an internal tribunal, and even a code of conduct that prohibits violence against family members.
The moment that marked the PCC as an existential threat to the Brazilian state was the May 2006 attacks: in three days, the organization executed coordinated attacks on police stations, banks, and buses in São Paulo, killing more than 40 public agents and paralyzing Brazil's largest city. The police response was equally violent — more than 100 people were killed in "confrontations" in the following days.
Where He Is Today
Federal maximum-security prison since 2019, in isolation. Marcola has been repeatedly transferred between federal prisons (Brasília, Campo Grande, Porto Velho) to hinder his communication with the organization. Even imprisoned, investigations suggest he maintains influence.
2. 🚢 Fernandinho Beira-Mar — The International Drug Trafficker
The Case
Luiz Fernando da Costa, known as "Fernandinho Beira-Mar," was for decades Brazil's most wanted drug trafficker. Operating from Rio de Janeiro's favelas, he built an international cocaine and weapons trafficking network that extended from Colombia (where he took refuge) to Europe.
First arrested in 2001 in Colombia, with FARC support, Beira-Mar represented the link between Colombian cocaine production and distribution in Brazil and Europe. His convictions for trafficking, homicide, and armed gang formation total more than 300 years.
Where He Is Today
Catanduvas Federal Prison (PR), maximum security. Even in isolation, he supposedly maintained contact with the Red Command. He is routinely transferred between federal prisons.
3. 📺 Wallace Souza — "Killer Ratings" (Netflix)
The Case
Perhaps the most bizarre Brazilian true crime case. Wallace Souza was a TV host, state congressman, and accused of ordering murders — all simultaneously. His TV show in Amazonas, "Canal Livre," was a sensationalist police show that displayed violent crimes.
In 2009, an investigation revealed that Souza allegedly commissioned murders to then report exclusively on his show. The police theory was that he created the crime to get ratings, and used the ratings to get elected. Five people were allegedly murdered at his orders to generate television content.
The case gained international attention and became a Netflix documentary ("Killer Ratings," 2019), which presents the story as a case study on the toxic relationship between sensationalist media and violence.
Where He Is Today
Deceased in 2010, before the judicial outcome. Wallace died of liver failure while facing the proceedings. Without a concluded trial, he was never formally convicted.
4. 🔪 Elize Matsunaga — The Yoki Case (Netflix)
The Case
In the early hours of May 19, 2012, Elize Matsunaga, a former nurse and escort who married millionaire Marcos Matsunaga (heir to the Yoki food company), killed her husband with a shot to the head and dismembered the body, scattering the parts in suitcases along highways in the interior of São Paulo.
The motivation, according to Elize, was the discovery that Marcos maintained extramarital affairs and accessed escort websites — a painful irony, given that Elize had left that life when she married him. The trial in 2016 was one of the most followed of the decade.
The Netflix documentary ("Elize Matsunaga: Once Upon a Crime," 2021) included exclusive interviews with Elize in prison and became one of the most watched Brazilian true crime productions.
Where She Is Today
Sentenced to 19 years and 11 months, Elize progressed to open regime/conditional and lives in the interior of São Paulo.
5. 👧 Nardoni Case — The Crime That Stopped Brazil (Netflix)
The Case
On the night of March 29, 2008, Isabella Nardoni, 5 years old, was found dead in the garden of the building where her father, Alexandre Nardoni, lived in the Santana neighborhood of São Paulo. She had fallen from the 6th floor.
The investigation revealed that Isabella had been asphyxiated and then thrown from the window by her father and stepmother, Anna Carolina Jatobá. The forensic report found strangulation marks, plus evidence that the window's safety net had been intentionally cut.
The case generated unprecedented national outrage. Crowds surrounded the building demanding justice. The trial in 2010 was broadcast live on all channels. Alexandre was sentenced to 31 years, 1 month, and 10 days; Anna Carolina to 26 years and 8 months.
The Netflix documentary ("Isabella: The Nardoni Case," 2024) reignited public debate and became one of the most watched productions on the platform in Brazil.
Where They Are Today
Both progressed to open regime in São Paulo, with monitoring and conditions imposed by the courts. The regime progression generated public outrage and reopened the debate about sentencing limits in Brazil.
6. 💊 Suzane von Richthofen — Planned Parricide
The Case
On October 31, 2002, on Halloween night, Suzane von Richthofen (then 19 years old) waited in the living room while her boyfriend Daniel Cravinhos and his brother Cristian murdered her parents — Manfred and Marísia von Richthofen — with iron bar blows while they slept.
The motivation was inheritance: Suzane's parents disapproved of her relationship with Daniel, and Suzane wanted the family's assets to live with her boyfriend. The case shocked Brazil due to the cold premeditation — Suzane planned the crime for weeks, disguised the scene to look like a robbery, and cried at the funeral.
Suzane's coldness during depositions and trial made the case emblematic. She was sentenced to 39 years and 6 months.
Where She Is Today
Open regime, living discreetly in the interior of São Paulo. Reports indicate she works and studies. She married a doctor in prison (later divorced). The progression to freedom generated debate about Brazil's penal execution system.
7. ⛪ Flordelis — "The Killer Pastor"
The Case
Flordelis dos Santos de Souza was an evangelical pastor, gospel singer, federal congresswoman, and adoptive mother of more than 50 children — a biography that seemed saintly. In June 2019, her husband, Pastor Anderson do Carmo, was murdered with 30 shots inside their home.
The investigation revealed an almost unbelievable family crime: Flordelis had allegedly planned the murder for months, involving at least 6 adopted and biological children in the execution, and before the fatal shot, had tried to poison Anderson at least 6 times with doses of cyanide mixed into his food.
The trial in 2022 lasted 7 days and was one of the longest in Rio de Janeiro's criminal history. The defense tried to argue domestic violence, but the evidence of planning and poisoning attempts was overwhelming.
Where She Is Today
Imprisoned in Rio de Janeiro, with a sentence of more than 50 years. Recent reports mention health issues in prison.
8. 🙏 João de Deus — Abuse Disguised as Faith
The Case
João Teixeira de Faria, known as "João de Deus" (John of God), was Brazil's most famous medium and possibly the world's. His "Casa de Dom Inácio de Loyola" in Abadiânia (Goiás) received thousands of people per week — including international celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and former US President Bill Clinton.
In December 2018, after a report on TV Globo, hundreds of women began reporting sexual abuse committed by João during "spiritual treatments." The victims described a pattern: they were taken to private rooms under the pretext of "special treatment" and harassed or assaulted.
More than 500 women filed formal complaints. His convictions total more than 100 years in prison for rape, sexual violation through fraud, and illegal weapons possession.
Where He Is Today
House arrest in Anápolis (GO), granted for health reasons and advanced age (83 years old in 2026). The conversion to house arrest generated criticism from victims and women's rights organizations.
9. 🌳 Maníaco do Parque — Brazil's Most Notorious Serial Killer
The Case
Francisco de Assis Pereira terrorized São Paulo in 1998. The 31-year-old motorcycle courier lured young women with promises of modeling agency tests and took them to Parque do Estado (now Parque Fontes do Ipiranga) in São Paulo's south zone, where he assaulted and murdered them.
At least 11 women were killed, all between 17 and 25 years old. Bodies were found in different stages of decomposition across the park's 5.4 km² of forest. The police manhunt mobilized hundreds of agents and generated panic in the city.
Arrested in 1998 in Rio Grande do Sul, after being recognized by a possible victim who survived, Francisco was sentenced to 268 years in prison.
Where He Is Today
Still imprisoned. Due to the legal serving limit (30 years at the time of conviction, before the change to 40 years in 2019), the projected release is around 2028. The possibility of his release generates debate about serial killer recidivism.
10. 🔒 Chico Picadinho — Brazil's Longest-Serving Prisoner
The Case
Francisco Costa Rocha, known as "Chico Picadinho," committed two brutal crimes in São Paulo in the 1960s: he murdered and dismembered two women (in 1966 and 1976). The crimes were so shocking that they transformed his name into a synonym for monstrosity in Brazilian popular culture.
Chico's case became a legal reference in Brazil for one reason: after serving his sentence for the first crime, he was released — and killed again. After the second crime, he was convicted and declared to have a "psychopathic personality," receiving a security measure (psychiatric custody) instead of a regular sentence.
The great legal debate: the security measure has no defined maximum term — as long as experts consider the individual dangerous, he remains in custody. Chico has been imprisoned for more than 48 years, making him Brazil's longest-serving prisoner.
Where He Is Today
Remains in custody under security measure. Recent court decisions denied release requests, and psychiatric evaluations continue to consider him dangerous to society. He is over 80 years old.
📊 Summary Table: Current Status of the Convicted
| Case | Convicted | Sentence | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCC — Marcola | Marcos Camacho | Multiple | Federal prison (max security) |
| CV — Beira-Mar | Luiz Fernando da Costa | 300+ years | Catanduvas Federal Prison |
| Killer Ratings | Wallace Souza | — | Deceased (2010) |
| Yoki Case | Elize Matsunaga | 19 years | Open regime (SP) |
| Nardoni Case | Alexandre and Anna Carolina | 31 and 26 years | Open regime (SP) |
| Suzane Richthofen | Suzane von Richthofen | 39 years | Open regime (SP) |
| Flordelis | Flordelis dos Santos | 50+ years | Imprisoned (RJ) |
| João de Deus | João Teixeira de Faria | 100+ years | House arrest (GO) |
| Maníaco do Parque | Francisco de Assis Pereira | 268 years | Imprisoned (~2028 release) |
| Chico Picadinho | Francisco Costa Rocha | Security measure | Custody (48+ years) |
The Brazilian Penal System: Why Are Convicts Released?
A frequent question: how is someone sentenced to 39 years already in open regime? The answer lies in the structure of the Brazilian penal system.
Maximum sentence: Until 2019, the limit was 30 years. The Anti-Crime Package (Law 13,964/2019) increased it to 40 years. In practice, this means that even with sentences of hundreds of years (like Beira-Mar, with 300+), the maximum served will be 40.
Regime progression: The Penal Execution Law allows convicts to advance from closed to semi-open and open regime as they serve fractions of their sentence. For heinous crimes, progression required 2/5 of the sentence (first-time offender) or 3/5 (repeat offender). The Anti-Crime Package toughened it: now requires 40-70% depending on severity.
The debate: Defenders argue that resocialization is more effective than eternal incarceration. Critics say the system is too lenient for violent crimes. The reality: Brazil has the 3rd largest prison population in the world (820,000+ inmates), with a recidivism rate of ~70% — suggesting the system doesn't work well in either direction.
Comparison with the USA: In the United States, there's no sentence limit. Sentences of 100+ years or "life without parole" are common. In Brazil, the Constitution expressly prohibits the death penalty and life imprisonment.
Brazilian True Crime: A Rising Genre
True crime has become one of Brazil's most popular genres. Podcasts like Modus Operandi (with more than 500 million downloads) and Caso Chocante have transformed historical crimes into cultural phenomena. Netflix has produced documentaries about practically every case on this list.
Public interest has two sides: it generates awareness about failures in the judicial system, but can also re-victimize families and create criminal celebrity. The National Council of Justice (CNJ) has issued recommendations on media coverage of crimes to protect victims and witnesses.
A phenomenon specific to Brazil: the trial as television spectacle. The Nardoni case was broadcast live on all channels. The Elize Matsunaga trial had minute-by-minute coverage. This mediatization of the judiciary generates debate among jurists about the influence of public opinion on judicial decisions — the so-called "media tribunal."
⚠️ Note on Editorial Ethics
This article reports on the public penal status of the convicted — serving regime, prison, progression. Residential addresses, personal routines, or information that could compromise anyone's safety are not and should not be published.
To verify judicial information, consult:
- TJ-SP, TJ-RJ, STJ: official court websites
- Public Prosecutor's Office: state and federal portals
- Recognized news outlets: G1, Folha, UOL, Estadão
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most notorious crimes in Brazilian history?
Some of the most notorious include the Nardoni case (2008), the Richthofen case (2002), the Champinha case (2003), the Maníaco do Parque (1998), and the Candelária massacre (1993). These cases shocked the nation and led to significant public debate about justice, security, and social issues in Brazil.
How does Brazil's criminal justice system work?
Brazil uses a civil law system with jury trials for intentional crimes against life. The system has three levels of courts. Sentences can be reduced for good behavior, and prisoners may progress to semi-open and open regimes. Critics argue the system is slow and favors the wealthy, while defenders note constitutional protections.
Are crime rates improving in Brazil?
Brazil's homicide rate has shown improvement in recent years, dropping from a peak of over 63,000 in 2017 to lower levels. However, rates remain high by global standards. Improvements are attributed to better policing strategies, technology, and social programs, though inequality and drug trafficking remain major challenges.
What happened to the perpetrators of famous Brazilian crimes?
Outcomes vary significantly. Some perpetrators received long sentences and remain incarcerated, while others have been released after serving reduced sentences. The Brazilian system allows sentence progression, meaning even those convicted of heinous crimes may eventually be released, which often generates public controversy.
Sources: São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office, TJ-SP, TJ-RJ, STJ, "Killer Ratings" (Netflix 2019), "Elize Matsunaga" (Netflix 2021), "Isabella" (Netflix 2024), G1 Justice, Folha de S.Paulo. Updated February 2026.
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