Elize: Shadows of a Woman on Netflix retells one of Brazil's most shocking true crime stories. The drama focuses on the turbulent marriage of Marcos Kitano Matsunaga and his wife Elize, who shot and dismembered him in 2012.
The Murder Case
Elize Matsunaga, a former escort turned nurse, killed her husband in his apartment in São Paulo after hiring a private investigator to gather evidence of his alleged infidelity. Following the argument over his cheating, she shot him and dismembered his body. She initially reported him missing, then confessed to the murder, describing it as a "crime of passion."
Who Was Marcos Kitano Matsunaga?
Marcos was the CEO and heir of Yoki, a major Brazilian food company founded by his grandfather Yoshizo Kitano. The business spans six brands across 21 categories, including popcorn, tea, snacks and seasonings, and has been one of Brazil's most popular brands for over 60 years. His family's net worth was estimated at $696 million (£521 million).
The Relationship
Marcos met Elize through an escort service. Friends noted his insecurity around women, but the couple married and had a daughter. Elize, who had a traumatic upbringing, trained as a nurse in her early 20s before working as an escort to fund law school. After moving to São Paulo, she met Marcos. Following the murder, his friends said she had become a "princess" by marrying him.
