Eliza Samudio

The case helped bring international attention to the high rates of violence against women in Brazil.

Her name is now written not on a movie poster, but in the tragic history of Brazilian criminal law. She is a ghost that haunts Brazilian soccer stadiums and family living rooms. As her murderer fights, yet again, for the open air, the country is forced to ask: How many times must a woman die to be believed? eliza samudio

In 2009, Eliza Samudio, a 25-year-old Brazilian model, met , the star goalkeeper and captain of the legendary football club Flamengo . At the time, Bruno was a national idol, destined for the World Cup and international fame. The case helped bring international attention to the

Samudio filed a police report in March 2010, accusing Bruno of kidnapping her, holding her against her will, and assaulting her. Specifically, she claimed he had punched her in the stomach in an attempt to cause a miscarriage. Despite this report, the police response was lethargic. The power dynamic was stark: it was the word of a low-income model against that of a nationally beloved athlete. As her murderer fights, yet again, for the

and the "invisibility" of victims when pitted against powerful figures.

The Eliza Samudio Case: A Tragic Catalyst for Legal Reform in Brazil The disappearance and murder of Eliza Samudio