A 21-year-old army soldier confessed to killing a 25-year-old cabo during an argument at a military regiment in the Federal District. He stabbed her in the neck and set the location on fire, leading to preventive detention. The army announced the soldier's expulsion and support for the victim's family.
The crime took place on Friday, December 5, at the 1st Cavalry Guards Regiment (RCG) in the Urban Military Sector, Brasília. Maria de Lourdes Freire Matos, 25, an army cabo musician who had joined five months prior, was found dead and carbonized by firefighters. The suspect, soldier Kelvin Barros da Silva, 21, confessed to the Federal District Civil Police (PCDF) that he had an extramarital relationship with the victim.
According to delegate Paulo Noritika, after an argument in which Maria de Lourdes demanded Kelvin end his current relationship and commit to her, she drew her firearm. 'He would have held the pistol while she tried to load it. Meanwhile, he managed to reach the victim's military knife, which was at her waist, and struck her deeply in the neck area,' the delegate detailed. The victim was found with the bladed weapon still in the injury site. In desperation, Kelvin used alcohol and a lighter to set fire to the band room and fled, disposing of the pistol.
A medical examination by the PCDF Technical Police revealed recent injuries on Kelvin, including abrasions on the right lower abdomen, right forearm, left lumbar region, and a bruise on the dorsal spine. Despite the contusion injuries, there are no signs of a physical struggle, and the victim was found sitting. Kelvin is in good general condition.
During the custody hearing on Saturday, December 6, the judge converted the flagged arrest to preventive detention, citing the severity of the feminicide, the military environment compromising hierarchy, and the attempt to hinder investigations by incinerating the body. The army confirmed Kelvin's expulsion and opened a Military Police Inquiry (IPM). 'The Brazilian Army provides full support to the family and deeply regrets the loss of cabo Maria de Lourdes Freire Matos,' the institution stated.
