A five-year-old girl was allegedly killed by her mother and stepfather in a horrifying manner, with a forensic report revealing she was buried alive. Maria Clara Aguirre Lisboa's body was discovered in a shallow, cement-covered grave behind the home where she lived with the couple in Itapetininga, Brazil.
Forensic Details
A post-mortem examination determined that the girl died from mechanical asphyxiation caused by burial. The report included shocking details that soil was found in her windpipe, suggesting Maria Clara was still breathing when she was interred. Additionally, head trauma consistent with assaults involving a blunt object was identified before the burial.
Investigation and Arrests
Mother Luiza Aguirre Barbosa da Silva and stepfather Rodrigo Ribeiro Machado are both in custody and have confessed to the crime. The girl's body was found on October 14, 2025, but is believed to have been buried for around 20 days. Maria Clara's paternal grandfather reported her missing to child services in early October, with the case passed to police on October 8.
Child Protective Services had been monitoring the family following an incident months earlier in which the stepfather made threats. The agency had not been able to contact the mother since August.
Chilling Audio Message
During the investigation, police uncovered a chilling audio message from Machado, then 23, to the girl's father. In it, he told the father his child was dead and urged him to stop 'bothering' him and Da Silva, then 25, for information. He said: 'Mate, are you deaf as well or something? Don't wind me up, mate. I've already told you your daughter's dead. She doesn't even exist any more. Stop messing me about, all right? Stop sending me messages, yeah?'
Abuse History and Charges
Machado, who has a criminal record, is also accused of physically and psychologically abusing both Maria Clara and her mother, according to lead investigator Franco Augusto. He added that Da Silva also abused her daughter. Police say Machado is linked to the PCC (First Capital Command) gang, where he is known as 'ruthless brother'. He and Da Silva are due back in court on May 19. They face charges of murder with aggravating factors and concealment of a body.
Maria Clara's aunt wrote at the time: 'My heart is in pieces knowing that your life was taken in such a cruel and unjust way.'
