Jeff Machado case: defendant who helped hide actor's body is convicted

Jeander Vinícius da Silva Braga was sentenced to 22 years and 9 months in prison, initially in a closed regime, for the murder of actor Jeff Machado in January 2023, in Rio de Janeiro. The decision was taken by the Rio de Janeiro Jury Court on Wednesday night (8).

The defendant may appeal, but not in freedom. Jeander was found guilty of the crimes of qualified homicide, concealment of a corpse and mistreatment of dogs.

The convict's defense, represented by lawyer Fábio Manoel, said they will appeal the decision to try to absolve Jeander of the crimes of qualified homicide and animal abuse.

If the request is not accepted by the courts, the defense informed that it will request a reduction of the sentence. "The defense respects the jurors' decision but understands that it was unfair. The evidence produced by the jury was not sufficient to prove Jeander's participation in the crime of homicide," said the lawyer.

The process was dismembered. The trial of Bruno de Souza Rodrigues, who is accused of being the mastermind and executor of the crime, is scheduled for December 10, 2026.

Participation in the crime
According to the complaint from the MPRJ (Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro), Jeander allegedly helped Bruno distract actor Jefferson Machado Costa so that he could be drugged during sexual intercourse. The homicide occurred on January 23, 2023 and was carried out with the intention of hiding a crime of embezzlement.

Bruno allegedly promised the victim a role in a soap opera in exchange for amounts in excess of R$30,000.

After Bruno strangled Jeff with a telephone cable, the two accused hid the actor's body inside a trunk and buried it two meters deep in a kitnet rented by Bruno. Later, the man would have hired a bricklayer to concrete the unearthed surface.

*Under the supervision of Carolina Figueiredo

Source: CNN