The entertainment industry in Brazil is in a state of shock following the discovery of the lifeless body of renowned soap opera actor Jefferson Machado Costa, who had been reported missing for four months. What has caused even greater impact is the fact that his body was found inside a trunk buried in the backyard of a property in western Rio de Janeiro.

The 44-year-old actor was last seen on January 27, and a few days later, his eight dogs of different breeds were found wandering alone, which raised concerns among his family members. After notifying the authorities, Jefferson Machado was officially reported missing in early February.

After conducting various investigations, the Brazilian police located a house in western Rio de Janeiro that was rented by an individual associated with the actor, whose identity has not been disclosed by the police. However, this person has been identified as the main suspect in the murder of Jefferson Machado.

According to police reports, the actor's body was found bound inside a trunk that belonged to him, as stated by one of the family's lawyers. Several videos released by the authorities revealed that at least nine men and heavy machinery were required to unearth the trunk, which was buried two meters deep.

The discovery of the body took place on Monday, May 22, although it was not until Wednesday, May 24, that the authorities confirmed the identity of the remains through fingerprints. As of now, no arrests have been reported in connection with this case.

Cintia Hilsendeger, a friend of the actor, expressed on social media that Jefferson Machado was "cold-bloodedly and brutally murdered by envious, wicked, and unscrupulous individuals."

The actor's mother, Maria das Dores, 73, told a local media outlet that the last time she spoke with her son was on January 29. On that occasion, Jefferson informed her that he was in Sao Paulo for a job interview and would stay at a friend's house for a few days. They remained in contact through messages for a couple of days, but later, the actor ceased communication. According to his mother, in their last conversations, Jefferson mentioned that his phone had fallen into the toilet and was damaged.

The actor's mother also noted that the last messages from her son were poorly written, leading her to believe that someone else had sent them. She also mentioned that Jefferson stopped sharing his location and that the passwords to his social media accounts were changed without his consent.

Jefferson Machado, originally from Araranguá, Santa Catarina, Brazil, was 44 years old and had a successful career as an actor, journalist, producer, and model. He participated in numerous soap operas, music videos, and television productions throughout his life. His last project was the series "Reis" in March 2022. In addition to being recognized for his acting talent, Machado was known for his love of animals, as evidenced by his ownership of eight dogs as pets, which were rescued by an NGO after his disappearance.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the case to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Jefferson Machado Costa's death and bring the perpetrators to justice.