RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A woman was shot dead in Magé Friday morning in Magé, a city in the Baixada Fluminense region north of Rio de Janeiro. Renata Castro, 40, was murdered outside her home on Florêncio Vidal street. According to investigations, she was a campaigner for the Cozzolino family, traditional in the city’s politics and has controlled Magé for several terms in the past.
According to witnesses, Renata was shot at least 14 times. She is known in the municipality for posting videos on the internet with accusations against the current city hall.
On Thursday, the day before the murder, Renata Castro stated before the Federal Police that she had filed a complaint against the mayor of Magé, Rafael Tubarão. Among the criticism she said she had been threatened.
“It’s no use threatening me with death. Today, two citizens came to my building to threaten me, to coerce me. I’m waiting, I’m not afraid of you. What I did yesterday I will do tomorrow, I will do it the day after tomorrow, I will do it as often as necessary, because I owe nothing to justice. What you are doing today with our municipality in Magé is forming a gang. A crooked mayor who is toying with our health, with our education, with our basic sanitation. Another complaint here in the Federal Police,” she said in the video.
Hours before she was murdered, Renata Castro posted a birthday message to her daughter on social media: “Taking you in my arms for the first time knowing that you came to the world perfect and healthy, you have given me the best moment in my life. Today is a very special day and filled with happiness! Receive this message with all the love in the world! Congratulations, my child! Happy birthday!” wrote Renata.
Candidate for mayor laments death
State Deputy and candidate for mayor of Magé, Renato Cozzolino, released a note of sorrow for Renata Castro’s death.
“It was with great sadness that we received the news of the murder of our friend and leader Renata Castro. She had been playing a democratic role in the fight against irregular activities in the municipality. She had a long and fine road ahead in the defense of our city. I send my condolences to the whole family and a request to the relevant authorities: investigate! Don’t let Renata’s story be forgotten, as in the murder of our friend P9 [Paulo Henrique Dourado Teixeira, known as Paulinho P9, killed in 2018]. We want and need a Magé with more love, peace and respect. The population does not deserve to live in a lawless land where one cannot have a voice. “Peace without a voice is not peace. It is fear!” Rest in peace, my friend, and may the Heavenly Father embrace you in his divine love.”
Civil and Federal Police in the case
The Baixada Fluminense Homicide Precinct was triggered and said it is exchanging information with the 65th Precinct (Magé), the police station nearest where the crime occurred, to collect intelligence that could help identify the perpetrator of the crime.
The Federal Police reported in a note that it “is working closely with the Electoral court and monitoring developments, having deployed a team. As for the homicide, the Civil Police are the authority responsible for the investigations but the Federal Police will provide assistance.”
Source: UOL