Couple to Face Trial for Triple Murder in Rio Grande do Sul

A religious leader known as a pai de santo, Jocemar Antunes de Almeida, and his wife, Belisia de Fátima da Silva, will stand trial before a popular jury for the murders of an 18 year old woman, her two month old baby, and a 16 year old teenager. The crimes took place in July 2025 in Esteio, located in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. The victims were Kauany Martins Kosmalski, her son Miguel Martins Kosmalski, and Ariel Silva da Rosa. According to the Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul, the victims were lured to an isolated area under the guise of a religious ceremony. The bodies were later found in a wooded area near the Rio dos Sinos. Investigators report that Kauany and Ariel were killed with extreme violence via stabbing, while the infant died from head trauma. A DNA test confirmed that Almeida is the biological father of the baby. Prosecutors allege the murders were committed to hide the extramarital affair and paternity to protect the couple's image within their religious community. The defendants are currently in preventive detention and face charges including feminicide, homicide, concealment of a corpse, and corruption of minors. Almeida also faces charges of sexual violation by fraud. Both suspects have confessed to the crimes, and two other teenagers aged 15 and 17 are also in custody for their alleged participation.