Four suspects of killing Jefferson Pureza are arrested in Edealina (GO)

The Civil Police of Edeia, also in the state of Goias, arrested on February 9, 2018, three suspects in the murder of broadcaster Jefferson Pureza, in addition to capturing a teenager. Among the prisoners is city councilman José Eduardo Alves da Silva, suspected of being the mastermind of the murder, and janitor Marcelo Rodrigues dos Santos, 39, who is accused of being the intermediary. Rodrigues dos Santos reportedly hired Leandro Cintra da Silva and a 17-year-old, who would be the executors, for 5,000 reais. The arrests are part of Operation Nuntius

According to the chief of police Queops Barreto, responsible for the case, the murder had "a mix of political and passionate motivation". The political aspect is related to the repeated criticisms that the radio broadcaster made to the city management and the councilmen in his radio show. The passion motivation is associated with the fact that Pureza would have had an affair with councilman Alves da Silva's ex-wife.
Almost one year before the crime, on January 26, 2017, the broadcaster said live on his show that Alves da Silva had ordered his death. In addition to the councilman, Pureza mentioned former mayor João Batista “Boiadeiro”. 

The radio host was killed with three shots on the night of January 17, 2018. Pureza worked on Beira Rio FM radio, presenting the show “A Voz do Povo”. The radio station has been the target of attacks more than once. In the most recent, in November 2017, it burnt to ashes. The broadcaster had plans to return to work, but then Pureza was murdered.

Abraji follows the case under the Tim Lopes Program. In late January, an association team visited the region for more information about the crime. The Tim Lopes Program is funded by the Open Society Foundations, and aims to promote the complete investigation of cases of homicide, kidnapping or attempted murder against communicators. 

(*) Written with information from O Popular, G1, and Mais Goias.