“Divino 45” is alleged to have shot de Olveira seven times on November 11, 1984, as the crime reporter was leaving Radio Planalto radio station after taping a program called “Gogó das Sete.” De Oliveira, who also wrote and edited the crime page of the daily newspaper Correio Braziliense, had been exposing the existence of a death squad in the Brazilian capital, in which he said civil and military police officers who also engaged in auto theft were involved.

“Divino 45” was sentenced in 1994 and he appealed the ruling. He was able to have his sentence commuted from 18 to 14 years, and he remained free. In March 2001, the High Court ordered his immediate imprisonment, but his defense attorneys appealed his sentence to the federal court. If implemented, it would mean he would have to serve time in a maximum security prison. In April 2001, Judge Maurício Corrêa upheld the sentence. But “Divino 45” had already fled.

In addition to “Divino 45,” also accused of taking part in de Oliveira’s murder are Sergeant Antônio Nazareno Mortari and Corporals David Antônio de Couto and Aurelino Silvino de Oliveira of the Criminal Investigation Squad, and police officer Iracildo José de Olveira. Police officer Moacir de Assunção Loiola, also implicated in the crime, died under suspicious circumstances a few days after giving testimony at the Luziânia police station in June 1985. Except for “Divino 45,” who managed to head off application of his sentence for 17 years and after the sentence was upheld managed to remain at large for two years, and Iracildo, who died (having served part of his prison term), all those involved were jailed, served their minimum sentence and are now free.