Leonardo Souza Ceschini, a Corinthians supporter, has been jailed for 13 years and 24 days for stabbing his wife Érica Fernandes Alves Ceschini eight times in front of their young children. The attack followed a row over their support for rival São Paulo football clubs Palmeiras and Corinthians.
Attack After Copa Libertadores Final
The incident happened the day after Palmeiras beat Santos 1-0 to win the Copa Libertadores final on January 30, 2021. Neighbours called police after hearing screams coming from the couple’s flat in Barra Funda.
Officers found Érica covered in blood on the kitchen floor. She had reportedly suffered three stab wounds to the chest, four to the back and one to the leg.
Initial Claim and Confession
Leonardo, now 39, was also injured and initially claimed his wife had attacked him with a knife before killing herself. He later confessed to killing her and told police the pair had “fallen out because they supported different football teams”.
Leonardo claimed Érica had cut him before he wrestled the knife from her and stabbed her in return, inflicting “several blows that caused her death”.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
He was arrested at the scene but released in February 2021 following a court ruling after his defence argued prosecutors had taken too long to respond to the case. Prosecutors formally charged him with murder in July 2021, before a jury trial was ordered in February 2024.
Leonardo was convicted of murder with aggravating factors and sentenced on Monday this week to 13 years and 24 days in prison.
Children in Grandmother's Custody
The couple’s children, who were around two years old when they witnessed their mother’s killing, are now in the custody of their maternal grandmother. Érica’s sister, Aline Oliveira, told local media: “The boys are with my mother, who has custody of them.
“Every day, she – and all of us – do our best to try to ease the pain and sadness they feel from not having their mother there with them every moment.”
