In a significant development in one of Brazil's most notorious criminal cases, former goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes was apprehended by police on Thursday night (May 7) in São Pedro da Aldeia, located in the Lagos Region of Rio de Janeiro state. The athlete had been evading justice for approximately two months following his conviction for the homicide of model and former girlfriend Eliza Samudio.
According to the Military Police (PMERJ), officers located Fernandes in the Porto da Aldeia neighborhood. The arrest proceeded without incident, as the former footballer reportedly did not resist the police approach and cooperated fully with law enforcement agents throughout the operation.
Following his capture, Fernandes was initially transported to the 125th Police District in São Pedro da Aldeia, where authorities formally executed the outstanding arrest warrant against him. The case was subsequently transferred to the 127th Police District in nearby Búzios, which assumed responsibility for continuing the legal proceedings.
Bruno Fernandes gained notoriety not only for his career as a professional goalkeeper but also for his involvement in one of Brazil's most high-profile criminal cases. He was convicted in connection with the death of Eliza Samudio, a model with whom he had been in a relationship. The case drew widespread media attention and public outrage across the country.
The capture marks the end of a two-month manhunt for the former athlete, who had managed to evade authorities since becoming a fugitive from justice. His arrest in the coastal city of São Pedro da Aldeia, a popular tourist destination in Rio de Janeiro's lake region, suggests he may have been attempting to lay low in a less urban area away from major metropolitan centers.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the circumstances that led to Fernandes' discovery or whether any individuals may have been assisting him during his time as a fugitive. The investigation remains ongoing as legal proceedings continue to move forward.
Based on reporting from g1.