Pedro Rodrigues Filho, better known as Pedro Matador, was one of Brazil’s most infamous figures in crime. He died this past Sunday in Sao Paulo at the age of 69, after receiving fatal gunshot wounds while visiting relatives. He had been released from prison five years earlier after serving a 42-year sentence.
Born in Minas Gerais in 1954, Pedrinho began his criminal life at a very young age and soon became a feared presence in Brazil. He is widely regarded as one of the country’s most dangerous criminals, with a long and infamous history that spanned decades.
Pedro Matador is reported to have killed more than 100 people, with many killings motivated by personal grievances or perceived slights. His early criminal activity began with robberies at the age of 11, and one of his first notable murders targeted the deputy mayor of Alfenas after the deputy mayor fired his father for alleged theft.
According to accounts, he killed his own father and, in the following years, showed little hesitation in harming anyone he perceived as a threat to himself or his family. The narrative surrounding his life paints a portrait of a man who operated without empathy for his victims.
Master of disguise and escape
Over the years, Pedrinho Matador became known for disguises and infiltration. He is described as having posed as a journalist or a street vendor to approach victims, often ending encounters with brutal violence. He frequently used knives and, in some cases, resorted to beheading as a sign of control. These acts contributed to his fearsome reputation across the country.
In 1973, Pedrinho Matador was first arrested for murdering a security guard at a construction site. He received a lengthy sentence but managed to escape after serving only about a decade. In the years that followed, his criminal activity resumed with killings of drug dealers, rapists, thieves, and other violent offenders, repeatedly evading justice over time.
400 years in prison for 71 murders
In 2003, Pedrinho Matador was recaptured and received a sentence totaling 400 years for 71 murders, half of which occurred behind bars, along with other serious crimes. During his time in prison, reports indicate he expressed remorse and cooperated with authorities to help solve certain murder cases. A law allowing a maximum of 30 consecutive years in prison led to his release, and some observers questioned the sincerity of his remorse as not all believed he had truly reformed.
The Pedrinho Matador case attracted attention in Brazil and globally due to the brutality of the crimes and the difficulties authorities faced in capturing him. It also sparked ongoing debate about his remorse and cooperation with law enforcement, with opinions divided on his sincerity.
killed “for pleasure”
After his release, Pedrinho Matador gained a following as a controversial figure who spoke publicly about his crimes and prison life in videos that drew significant viewership. He used social media to reach audiences, including posts that drew scrutiny for how they depicted his killings. He stated that his actions were aimed at criminals who shared a similar profile, a stance he described as doing society a favor. A tattoo on his body summarized his controversial life with the words “I kill for pleasure.”
Media interviews and various networks repeatedly highlighted that his supporters believed he operated under a warped sense of justice, while critics argued that his claims of remorse were not credible. The overall narrative reflects a man who remained provocative and polarizing until the end of his life.