“Serial Killer Inspired by Dexter Bites Out Father’s Heart”

Pedro Rodrigues Filho, also known as Pedrinho Matador, was Brazil’s most infamous serial killer. His chilling story inspired the television character Dexter Morgan. Over a span of five decades, Pedrinho claimed to have murdered over 100 people, with 71 official convictions.

Early Life and Background

Born on October 29, 1954, in a rural town in Brazil, Pedro’s life was marked by early violence. His father kicked his pregnant mother during an argument, resulting in a fractured skull before his birth. This traumatic beginning shaped Pedro’s later actions.

At nine years old, Pedro ran away from home, eventually drifting to São Paulo. Here, he began stealing and living on the streets. By his early teens, he allegedly killed for the first time, pushing a cousin into a sugarcane press.

Path to Infamy

• By his teenage years, Pedro shot a local drug dealer.
• Further revenge killings included the dealer’s brother and brother-in-law.
• He claimed that these acts gave him a “feeling of power.”

In his late teens, Pedro became involved in the drug trade. He lived with a widow named Botinha, who was later killed by police. Following her death, he sought vengeance against those he believed responsible.

Arrest and Prison Life

Pedro was arrested in 1973 at the age of 18. By this time, he had left a bloody trail, targeting not only drug dealers but also rapists and traitors. He received a sentence of 128 years, which expanded as he continued to kill even in prison.

Inside Brazil’s highest-security facility, Pedro became notorious for murdering fellow inmates, claiming to target those unworthy of life. He boasted of his actions, tattooing “I kill for pleasure” on his arm.

In an act of vengeance, Pedro claimed to have killed his father, who had been imprisoned for murdering his mother. He stated he stabbed his father 22 times and bit into his heart, asserting that it was an act of revenge.

Release and Redemption?

Despite being sentenced to over 400 years in total, Pedro was released in 2007 after spending 34 years in prison. He later faced further arrests but claimed to have transformed his life after converting to Christianity.

In 2018, he launched a YouTube channel called “Pedrinho, Former Killer with Jesus,” warning about the dangers of crime. He spoke of repentance, stating, “The crime is not a game,” and warned against the temptations of fame and money.

Death of a Notorious Figure

On March 5, 2023, Pedrinho was killed in Mogi das Cruzes, a city he once ruled. Two masked assailants shot him multiple times and then slashed his throat, ending his complex and violent story at the age of 68.

Pedro Rodrigues Filho’s life and moral code of only targeting those he deemed deserving of death drew comparisons to the television series Dexter. His legacy lives on as both a cautionary tale and a source of fascination for many.