On February 11, 2026, police responded to reports of gunshots at Condomínio Paraíso in Itumbiara. After forcing entry into an apartment, officers found Thales Naves Alves Machado, 40, dead in a bedroom with a registered Glock pistol on his chest. Nearby were his two sons: Miguel, 12, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and Benício, 8, who was rushed to Hospital Estadual de Itumbiara and died two days later following emergency surgery.
Authorities reported a strong smell of gasoline inside the apartment. The case is being investigated as a double homicide followed by suicide, according to the India Times.
Local reports state that Machado had been struggling with suspicions that his wife was having an affair. He allegedly hired a private investigator and received video footage that appeared to confirm his concerns, which investigators believe may have contributed to his deteriorating mental state in the days before the crime. His wife was reportedly in São Paulo at the time of the incident.
The India Times further reports that hours before the shooting, Machado shared emotional videos of his sons on social media, including one practicing jiu-jitsu and another drawing while sitting on his lap. One caption read, “May God always bless my sons. Daddy loves you so much.” A later deleted post reportedly referenced a marriage crisis and accusations of betrayal.
Machado had served as Secretary of Government in Itumbiara since 2021 and was the son-in-law of Itumbiara Mayor Dione Araújo.
