An individual with over 300,000 followers on social media has been apprehended on suspicion of committing a homicide following 16 years of evading authorities. Reinaldo da Silva Melo, wanted in connection with the killing of Fábio Gomes da Silva in 2009, was discovered in a remote area of Brazil. Police claim the alleged murder was driven by a desire for retribution as he believed Fábio played a role in the death of his father in 2004.
The incident occurred in Paulo Ramos, a region north of Brasilia, Brazil, where Reinaldo disappeared into the wilderness and eluded capture for more than 15 years. Despite being on the run, he managed to start a family and establish himself as an influencer known as the ‘King of Juquira’. The juquira, a plant native to the Amazon, became the focal point of his content, showcasing his harvesting techniques and daily life on the farm.
Through videos portraying his farming lifestyle with humor and rural traditions, he amassed a substantial online following of over 317,000 on Instagram and 283,000 on TikTok, all while evading law enforcement. However, authorities eventually located him in the rural area of Olho d’Água das Cunhãs, leading to his arrest by the Bacabal Civil Police.
The influencer is currently in police custody, with a message posted on his social media indicating that legal proceedings are underway to bring clarity to the situation. The note assures followers that his defense is actively addressing the matter, urging understanding and refraining from premature judgments during this challenging period.
The Maranhão Civil Police have detained him, but specific details have not been disclosed. A police statement mentioned that after formalities at the police station, the suspect was transferred to a nearby prison.