Bio

Adilson Marcelino Alves was commonly known by the nickname "Dequinha." There is little public information about his childhood, family, or early schooling.

Records report that he had mental health issues and a criminal record, but those sources do not give many details about his early years. He worked briefly for the Gran Circus Norte-Americano and had been at the circus for only two days before he was fired by the owner, Danilo Stevanovich.

Murder Story

A fire occurred in the circus tent during a sold-out performance on 17 December 1961 in Niterói, Brazil. The tent burned in a little over five minutes while about 3,000 people were under the big top. The circus had premiered there on 15 December and had about 60 performers, 20 employees and 150 animals. The tent was advertised as nylon but was actually cotton treated with paraffin wax, a highly flammable material.

The fire started during the flying trapeze act. One artist said she waited for her partner to land before alerting him, and they escaped by jumping into the net. A Boy Scout in the audience reportedly used a pocket knife to slit the tent walls to make another exit. All 150 animals were rescued and none were under the big top at the time, although three elephants broke free and escaped.

Official counts reported 372 people died immediately and the total reached 503 as others later died from injuries. About 70% of the victims were children. Many eyewitnesses said children were trampled as adults tried to flee. Medical treatment was hampered by shortages of supplies, hospital beds and personnel. Supplies were air-lifted from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and medical teams traveled in response to a radio appeal.

The fire was soon claimed to be arson. Three people were arrested and convicted. The mastermind was identified as Adilson Marcelino Alves, known as "Dequinha." He had a criminal record and mental health issues and had worked at the circus for two days before being fired. He and two accomplices, Jose dos Santos and Walter Rosa dos Santos, were said to have set the fire in retaliation.

On 24 October 1962, Dequinha was sentenced to sixteen years in prison and six years of hospitalization in a judicial asylum as a security measure. Walter Rosa dos Santos received sixteen years and another year in an agricultural colony. Jose dos Santos was sentenced to fourteen years and two years in an agricultural colony.

On 31 January 1973, eleven years after his sentencing, Dequinha escaped from Vieira Ferreira Neto Penitentiary in Niterói. He was later found dead with 13 gunshot wounds on the top of Boa Vista hill in the same city. The person who killed him was never identified.

Three days of mourning and a state of calamity were declared after the fire. President João Goulart inspected the scene and authorized federal aid for the victims. The circus owner hoped to organize benefit performances for the families of those who died.