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17‑year‑old suspect detained after killing driver Washington Rodrigo in João Pessoa hotel
A 17‑year‑old male from Rio Grande do Norte was arrested after the body of 33‑year‑old driver Washington Rodrigo was found dead in a hotel room in the Manaíra district of João Pessoa on 24 July 2026. The victim was discovered bound, with a cloth over his mouth and a cord looped around his neck. The suspect told investigators he felt intimidated after the encounter arranged through a dating‑app and used an air‑soft replica firearm to force Rodrigo to reveal his phone password. He later used a hair‑dryer cord to strangle the victim.
Deputy Diego Garcia is leading the investigation. A forensic dental and papilloscopy examination was initially inconclusive about the suspect’s age, but a later papilloscopy confirmed he is 17. The Justice of Paraíba upheld a provisional detention order, allowing the teen to remain in custody for up to 45 days while the police complete the inquiry within ten days.
The case is being processed by the Juvenile Court, which will decide whether a longer socio‑educational measure is required.
Entities
Caicó · Deputy Diego Garcia · Diego Garcia · João Pessoa · Manaíra · Paraíba Juvenile Court · Rio Grande do Norte · Washington Rodrigo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The victim was suffocated with a cloth and a rope around his neck. cbnparaiba.com.br · paraibainforma.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] The suspect claimed he felt intimidated because the victim might have recorded their encounter. cbnparaiba.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] Deputy Diego Garcia is leading the police investigation into the murder. cbnparaiba.com.br · noticias.uol.com.br · overbo.com.br · paraibainforma.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] Washington Rodrigo, 33, was found dead in a hotel room in Manaíra, João Pessoa on 24 July 2026. cbnparaiba.com.br · paraibainforma.com.br · wscom.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] The suspect was a teenage male who met the victim through a dating‑site app and arranged a meeting. cbnparaiba.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The suspect has at least 17 police reports filed against him in Rio Grande do Norte for crimes such as stalking, extortion, and domestic violence.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The teen suspect was arrested in Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte on 28 July 2026. cbnparaiba.com.br
- [● 4 SOURCES] The suspect used an air‑soft pistol to force the victim to give his phone password. cbnparaiba.com.br · overbo.com.br · portaltucuma.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] The suspect confessed to killing Washington Rodrigo. portaltucuma.com.br · wscom.com.br · www.metropoles.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A papilloscopy examination confirmed the suspect is 17 years old. paraibainforma.com.br · thmais.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Justice of Paraíba upheld a provisional detention of the suspect for up to 45 days. cbnparaiba.com.br · wscom.com.br