One of the witnesses in the investigation into the murder of journalist Décio Sá – Ricardo Santos Silva, known as Carioca – died on the morning of Wednesday, February 13 in a public hospital in São Luís, Maranhão state.

Carioca, described as the key witness to the plot that led to the murder of the journalist in April 2012, was shot seven times in what was said to be an attack with organized crime characteristics on January 3 this year. He died in the hospital where his family had taken him to recover from his wounds.

The Maranhão State Public Safety Department’s Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Deputy Secretary Laércio Costa said that the witness’s death will affect the investigation because he had confirmed information gathered by the Maranhão Civil Police concerning the crime.

Source: R7 Noticias, http://noticias.r7.com/cidades/testemunha-de-crime-contra-jornalista-decio-sa-morre-no-maranhao-14022013