JI-PARANÁ, RONDÔNIA, BRAZIL – JUNE, 2026 The city of Ji-Paraná in Brazil was shaken by an extremely brutal murder of 65-year-old José Calixto de Souza. The man had been missing since June 14, when he left home in the evening on his bicycle. When he did not return and could no longer be reached by phone, his family alerted the police and a search began. Two days later, his body was found in a well behind a house in the Novo Horizonte community. Investigators later detained 21-year-old Pedro Gabriel Lima dos Santos, who confessed to the crime.
José Calixto de Souza
According to the investigation, the murder took place at the suspect’s home. Police stated that José Calixto de Souza was first struck on the head with a blunt object and then stabbed several times with a knife. After his death, the perpetrator attempted to hide the body in a suitcase, but when that failed, he disposed of it in a well on the property. During the search, forensic investigators secured a suitcase with traces of blood, as well as the victim’s bicycle and mobile phone, which became key evidence leading to the suspect’s conviction.
The investigation progressed quickly after residents noticed a young man riding the missing senior’s bicycle around the area and alerted the police. When officers also found the victim’s phone in his home, Pedro Gabriel Lima dos Santos confessed during questioning. According to some media reports, he later also showed investigators where he had discarded additional body parts and other items connected to the crime.
After his arrest, Pedro Gabriel Lima dos Santos stated that he had been in a homosexual relationship with José Calixto de Souza. The victim’s family rejected this claim, saying they did not believe any romantic relationship existed between the two. Police investigated this circumstance and later stated that the motive was likely a personal dispute related to their relationship.
Shortly after the arrest, a video recorded by the perpetrator after the murder began circulating online. It shows the victim’s body with an open chest and removed organs. The perpetrator appears visibly amused and shows pieces of the victim’s internal organs to the camera.
