Three and a half years after the murder of 35-year-old administrator Renata Alves Costa, her ex-boyfriend, João Raimundo Vieira da Silva de Araújo, is facing trial in the Desembargador Rodolfo Aureliano Forum in Recife. The trial began on Wednesday, October 25, and is the culmination of a case that has drawn significant attention in the region. Renata was fatally shot in the face on August 6, 2022, in her apartment located in Campo Grande, a neighborhood in the city's North Zone.

The night of the murder was marked by the last known images of Renata, captured in an elevator with Araújo. Following the killing, Araújo was arrested three days later at Natal airport while attempting to flee to São Paulo, where investigators found two illegal firearms, including the one allegedly used to commit the murder. The charges he faces are serious, including qualified homicide for a base motive, cruel means, and lack of defense opportunities for the victim, as well as femicide, sexual violence, and illegal possession of firearms.

The trial serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues related to violence against women in Brazil, where femicide rates remain alarmingly high. This case highlights the socio-judicial dynamics at play and underscores the need for continued efforts to address gender-based violence in the country, influencing both public perception and making a case for systemic changes in the judicial handling of such cases.