Pedro Rodrigues Filho was a Brazilian serial killer, spree killer, and vigilante who rose to prominence during his adolescence by targeting and killing people he suspected of being criminals. He went on a killing spree between the ages of 14 and 19, including the murder of an entire gang in response to the murder of his pregnant girlfriend. Despite being sentenced for 71 murders, he claimed to have killed more than 100 drug dealers, rapists, and murderers. He was released in 2007 after spending 34 years in prison and serving roughly 25 weeks for each murder.
The Beginning
Rodrigues was born on a farm in Santa Rita do Sapuca, Brazil, in the southern region of Minas Gerais. Unfortunately, he was injured in the womb when his father kicked his pregnant mother’s stomach during a fight, resulting in a bruised skull.
Rodrigues committed a violent act at the age of 14 that would pave the way for his future as a notorious criminal. He shot the deputy mayor of Santa Rita do Sapuca in front of the city hall after his father, a school guard, was fired over allegations of stealing food from the school kitchen.
He then shot the security guard, whom he suspected of being the actual thief, with his grandfather’s shotgun. Rodrigues sought refuge in Mogi das Cruzes, a city in Greater So Paulo, where he began robbing drug dens and killing drug traffickers. His actions earned him the moniker “vigilante” in the news media.
Rodrigues met Maria Aparecida Olympia, also known as Botinha, after arriving in Mogi das Cruzes, and the two began living together. Rodrigues quickly joined the local street gang, taking over the duties of a deceased member. During his time with the gang, he was “forced” to kill some of their rivals and ended up killing three former associates.
Botinha became pregnant with Rodrigues’ child, but she was murdered soon afterwards by a rival gang leader. Despite his age, Rodrigues sought vengeance and went on a killing spree, pursuing and brutally murdering every member of the rival gang.
Pedro Rodrigues Filho’s next murder was also motivated by vengeance, but this time the target was his own father – the same man he had previously murdered on his behalf. Rodrigues’ father had been imprisoned for murdering Rodrigues’ mother with a machete. When Rodrigues went to see his father in jail, he used the opportunity to exact revenge, stabbing him 22 times. Rodrigues even went so far as to cut out his father’s heart and chew on it in a gruesome and disturbing act.
He Goes To Prison
Rodrigues’ criminal activities caught up with him when he was arrested for the first time on May 24, 1973, at the age of 19. He spent the majority of his adult life in prison, where he continued to engage in violent and brutal acts. Rodrigues murdered another inmate while being transported in the same vehicle with him, all while they were both handcuffed and under police supervision.
When questioned about the murder, Rodrigues claimed the other inmate was a rapist. Despite being sentenced to 126 years in prison, he was scheduled to be released in 2003 because Brazilian law at the time prohibited anyone from serving more than 30 years in prison. (In 2019, this was revised to 40 years.) Rodrigues was finally released on April 24, 2007, after serving 34 years in prison. He reportedly relocated to Fortaleza, Ceará, after his release.
Rodrigues Returns to Prison After Being Released
Rodrigues’ release was brief, as he was arrested again on September 15, 2011, at his rural home, where he worked as a caretaker. He was found guilty of rioting and deprivation of liberty charges, which he committed while detained in So Paulo. As a result, he received an eight-year prison sentence. He was released on December 10, 2018, after serving seven years for good behavior.
He allegedly murdered 47 of his fellow inmates, believing they deserved retribution for their own criminal actions. Rodrigues appeared to enjoy killing other criminals and stated in interviews that he did so with joy and excitement. His preferred method of murder was blade stabbing or hacking.
Pedro Rodrigues Filho was shot and killed by two men who fired at him from a car in Mogi das Cruzes on March 5, 2023. The assailants fled the scene in another vehicle, and no suspects have yet been apprehended.