Mato Grosso man sentenced to preventive detention for femicide of Daiany Rodrigues de Souza

Daiany Rodrigues de Souza, 33, was murdered with multiple knife wounds in a bar in Confresa, Mato Grosso, on the night of 4 July 2026. Her partner, 63‑year‑old José da Cruz Evangelista, recorded a video days earlier in which he admitted his intention to kill her and then himself. Police say the attack was sparked by a dispute over a R$ 1 000 Pix transfer made by Daiany without his knowledge.

After the stabbing, Evangelista fled the scene but turned himself in at the local police station later that day. He was subsequently placed under preventive detention by a judge, who rejected his request for release, citing the brutality of the crime and his prior arrest warrant. The case has drawn attention to the rise in femicide in Mato Grosso, which recorded its 26th victim in 2026.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and the victim’s family is pursuing legal action. The court’s decision underscores ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of protective measures for women facing domestic violence.