ELIZA Samudio's murder was ordered by then Flamengo keeper Bruno Fernandes de Souza.
This horrific story of murder, betrayal and injustice is the focus of Netflix’s An Invisible Victim: The Eliza Samudio Case.
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A fateful encounter
In 2009, 25-year-old model and actress Eliza Samudio met Bruno Fernandes de Souza — star goalkeeper for one of Brazil’s most popular football clubs, Flamengo — at a party.
This encounter led to a brief affair, resulting in Eliza becoming pregnant.
When she refused Fernandes’ demands to have an abortion, their relationship took a sinister turn.
Desperate mum
As Eliza sought financial support for her unborn child, Fernandes became increasingly hostile towards her.
He threatened her life, holding her at gunpoint and stating that she “didn’t know what he was capable of”.
Despite the clear danger, Eliza persisted in her quest for justice for her son.
Horrific crime
In June 2010, Eliza was lured to Fernandes’ home under false pretences.
She endured six days of torture at the hands of Fernandes’ accomplices, including his wife.
The brutality culminated in Eliza’s murder, with her body then dismembered and fed to Fernandes’ Rottweilers.
Investigation and trial
The disappearance of Eliza quickly became a media storm.
As evidence mounted, Fernandes and his accomplices were arrested.
In 2013, Fernandes was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in ordering Eliza’s murder.
The trial revealed the shocking details of the crime, including Fernandes’ admission to knowing about the murder and disposal of Eliza’s remains.
Controversy and public outrage
Despite the severity of his crime, Fernandes’ imprisonment was marked by controversy.
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In 2017, he was temporarily released on a technicality and signed with a new football club, Boa Esporte.
Fernandes said: “I thank the club president. He opened the doors for me and I need to be very grateful for the opportunity I have.
“The goal of the club is to go up to the first division of the Brazilian Championship and that is my goal now.
“The man can make plans, but whoever gives the final word is God. I came to help and not to think of myself.”
This decision sparked widespread outrage and protests, leading to his return to prison shortly thereafter.
In 2019, his sentence was converted to a semi-open regime, allowing him to work during the day.
Fernandes announced his intention to become a mental health coach for elite athletes in 2023.
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Signing with Orion Futebol Clube
In yet another shocking turn of events, Fernandes was signed by Orion Futebol Clube, a São Paulo-based team, just two months after being released on parole.
In March 2023, the club announced the news on Instagram, posting a picture of Fernandes grinning and clenching his fist, with the caption “Backup for the position, welcome!”
The move sparked outrage among fans and women’s rights advocates, with one supporter commenting: “Total absurdity in women’s month, a month that should be exalting all of us women.”
Orion FC was reportedly the seventh club to sign Fernandes since his initial release in 2017.
An Invisible Victim: The Eliza Samudio Case
On September 26, 2024, Netflix released An Invisible Victim: The Eliza Samudio Case, a documentary shedding new light on this tragic story.
The film aims to give voice to Eliza, often overshadowed by the notoriety of her killer.
It explores the systemic issues surrounding the disgusting crime and the ongoing impact on Eliza’s family, particularly her son.