Police Identify Suspect in Moisés Alencastro Murder

Quick Summary

The Civil Police of Acre have officially identified the prime suspect in the murder of Moisés Alencastro, a 59-year-old cultural activist and employee of the Public Ministry of Acre (MP-AC). During a press conference on Wednesday, December 24, authorities named Antônio Sousa de Morais, 22, as the individual responsible for the crime. Morais is currently fugitive.

Investigators have requested a preventive arrest warrant, which was granted by the Court of Justice. The investigation also suggests the involvement of a second, unidentified individual. The crime occurred in the Morada do Sol neighborhood of Rio Branco, where the victim's body was discovered on Monday, December 22.

Suspect Identified and Declared Fugitive

The Police Civil do Acre confirmed that the authorship of the homicide is defined. Antônio Sousa de Morais has no prior criminal records. According to Delegate Alcino Júnior, the representative for the case, the police requested the preventive imprisonment of the suspect on the night of December 23.

"On the night of yesterday [23] we represented for the preventive arrest of this author and, in the early hours of this morning, the On-Call Court of the Court of Justice issued an arrest warrant for the author. So today he has a status, officially, of fugitive," the delegate stated.

The police are currently conducting searches for the author and working to identify the second person who allegedly participated in the crime. The case remains under investigation by the Delegacia de Homicídios e Proteção à Pessoa (DHPP).

Investigation Details and Evidence

According to Delegate Alcino Júnior, police work advanced through analysis of the crime scene, forensic evidence, and information gathered during diligences. The investigation revealed that the victim likely knew the people in the apartment, as there were no signs of forced entry.

"The circumstances of no forced entry at the domicile, in the apartment, no signs that there were violations, makes us believe that the people who were in the apartment entered consensually, possibly friends, people who were from the victim's relationship," the delegate emphasized.

During the investigation, police found objects belonging to the victim at the residence linked to the author. These items included:

• Glasses
• Vehicle remote control
• Apartment remote control
• Documents
• Clothes with blood traces

Furthermore, reports indicate that the suspect attempted to use Moisés Alencastro's bank cards after the crime, but the transaction was denied at a commercial establishment. Images were also collected during the investigation.

Discovery of the Vehicle and Body

The victim's car was located on Estrada do Quixadá with a blown tire. Police believe the suspects attempted to flee but abandoned the vehicle after hitting a pothole in a dark area.

"By the time and in that very dark region, they hit some hole, the tire blew out and they kept going," Delegate Alcino Júnior added.

Regarding the condition of the body, the delegate reported that at the time of discovery, there were signs of rigor mortis compatible with 18 to 20 hours of death, although the official report has not yet been concluded. According to a preliminary assessment, the victim died from more than five stab wounds. The murder weapon has not yet been located.

Change in Case Classification

Initially treated as a possible robbery-homicide (latrocínio), the case is now being analyzed from a different perspective following the advancement of investigations. The police now classify the crime as a qualified homicide followed by theft.

According to the delegate, after the homicide, the suspects allegedly took advantage of the situation to steal the victim's belongings. This classification suggests that the primary motive may not have been robbery, but rather the theft was a secondary act committed after the killing.