- Erica Pereira da Silveria Vicente was acquitted of charges for the brutal killing of her partner, Everton Amaro de Silva.
- A jury determined Vicente acted to protect her daughter from an attempted sexual assault by de Silva.
- Prosecutors suggested premeditation, claiming Vicente poisoned, stabbed, and mutilated de Silva's body before disposing of it.
BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil — A Brazilian mother who confessed to the brutal killing and mutilation of her partner has been acquitted of all charges. A jury in Minas Gerais determined that Erica Pereira da Silveria Vicente acted to safeguard her 11-year-old daughter from a sexual predator, ending her year-long stint in pre-trial custody.
The case centered on the death of Everton Amaro de Silva. According to court testimony, Vicente became alarmed after discovering "lurid and sexual" text messages de Silva had sent to her daughter. Upon returning home and hearing the child's screams, Vicente claimed she found de Silva on top of the girl attempting to rape her.
The Prosecution’s Allegations
While the jury ultimately sided with the mother, prosecutors presented a narrative of "cold premeditation" rather than a crime of passion or immediate self-defense. They alleged that:
The Sedative: Vicente allegedly spiked de Silva's drink with Klonopin, a medication used for seizures, to render him unconscious.
The Assault: While he was incapacitated, she reportedly stabbed him to death and beat him with a club.
The Aftermath: With the help of a local teenager who heard the commotion, Vicente transported the body to a remote wasteland where she severed de Silva's genitalia and set the corpse on fire.
Despite these details, the jury deliberated for just one day before clearing Vicente of aggravated homicide.
Investigation and Verdict
The investigation was remarkably straightforward for local detectives, who followed a literal trail of blood from the disposal site back to Vicente’s apartment. Upon their arrival, she surrendered the murder weapon and confessed to the act, maintaining from the start that her only motivation was the safety of her child.
The presiding judge ordered her immediate release following the jury’s verdict on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
For more interesting criminal cases from this year, check out our video here:
