Minor Suspected of Murdering Man in João Pessoa Hotel, Investigation Details Emerge

Authorities in João Pessoa, Brazil, are investigating the murder of Washington Rodrigo, 33, found deceased in a hotel room in the Manaíra neighborhood. A 17-year-old suspect, who turned himself in to the Civil Police, has confessed to the crime. The investigation has pieced together the events leading up to and following the homicide. Rodrigo, an autonomous driver, had informed his mother he was traveling to Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte, before his disappearance. The suspect, who arrived in João Pessoa on the same day Rodrigo went missing, met Rodrigo through a dating website and arranged to meet him early the following morning. He used a fake document to enter the hotel. According to the Civil Police, the suspect claimed he intended only to incapacitate Rodrigo by strangling him with a hairdryer cord, but the Institute of Legal Medicine confirmed Rodrigo died from asphyxiation and showed signs of torture. The suspect stated he felt threatened, believing Rodrigo had recorded intimate moments and was attempting to expose his sexual orientation, which he felt would conflict with his self-proclaimed identity as a theologian. He allegedly used an airsoft pistol to force Rodrigo to reveal his phone password, seeking to verify if any content compromised him. After the incident, the suspect attempted to flee in Rodrigo's car but was unsuccessful, leaving the hotel on foot and reportedly posting on social media as if nothing had happened. Evidence seized includes an airsoft pistol, handcuffs, and a surgical glove. The suspect, who has a history of at least 17 prior police reports in Rio Grande do Norte, including offenses like extortion and domestic violence, was transferred to João Pessoa. His age was definitively confirmed as 17 through fingerprint comparison. He is currently held in a juvenile detention wing, with his provisional apprehension extended for up to 45 days by the court. The Civil Police have ten days to conclude their inquiry.