MANAUS, AMAZONAS, BRAZIL – JUNE 27, 2021 Brutal attack occurred in which Mizael Augusto Rodrigues de Paula (45) stabbed his partner, Aila Maria da Silva Tavares (45), to death. The murder took place at a house on Rua do Contorno Norte in the Armando Mendes neighborhood.
Aila Maria da Silva Tavares
At the time, Aila Maria da Silva Tavares and Mizael Augusto Rodrigues de Paula were in the process of separating. According to the investigation, Mizael was unwilling to accept his partner’s decision and was jealous. On the day of the murder, a conflict arose between them that was related, among other things, to alcohol consumption. Mizael also reportedly accused Aila of leaving the house the previous night without telling him where she was going.
The argument gradually escalated, and Mizael grabbed a knife. He then attacked Aila repeatedly, striking her in the head, arms, hands, and chest. The woman did not survive the attack. The murder also took place directly in front of her three children, who, according to court documents, begged their father to stop the attack.
After the attack, Mizael left the scene and attempted to flee. Police, however, arrested him shortly afterward. According to court records, he was arrested with his hands still covered in blood. He later confessed to the murder during the court proceedings and described the circumstances of the crime.
The case was heard by the 2nd Court of the Jury of the District of Manaus. On May 19, 2022, Mizael Augusto Rodrigues de Paula was found guilty of aggravated murder, which was also classified as femicide. The court took into account, among other factors, the petty motive and the cruel manner in which the crime was committed.
Mizael Augusto Rodrigues de Paula was sentenced to 26 years and 3 months in prison. The court also ordered him to pay BRL 60,000 (USD 11,500) in compensation for emotional damages to the three children of the murdered woman.
