Braga Murder Case: TikTok Rumors or the Real Culprit? Unraveling the Truth Behind Manuel Gonçalves' Death

On this Holy Saturday, as Christians await the resurrection of Jesus, Portugal is faced with the unfolding events of a tragic case that has captured the nation's attention: the murder of 19-year-old Manuel "Manu" Gonçalves.

The Judicial Police (PJ) arrested a suspect in Castelo Branco, who was brought before the court in Vila Nova de Famalicão today, charged with qualified homicide. This follows the attack on the student from D. Maria II Secondary School in Braga, who was stabbed outside the Academic Bar of the University of Minho, ultimately succumbing to his injuries in the hospital.

Five days later, on Thursday, the PJ apprehended Mateus Machado, a 27-year-old Brazilian national. When apprehended, the suspect was reportedly on the run, according to police statements.

António Falé de Carvalho, the lawyer for the alleged assailant, claims that a "rumor on Instagram and TikTok" has misled the public, and he believes the knife found will prove his client's innocence.

Mateus, whose full name is Mateus Marley Machado, is being charged with qualified homicide. He has a criminal record in the United States, where he served time for armed robbery.

In statements to the media, the suspect's lawyer noted that DNA has yet to be identified on the knife believed to be used in the crime. He further asserts that the knife does not belong to his client but rather to the victim.

The court has imposed the most severe precautionary measure: preventive detention.

“The accused provided an explanation claiming he was not the perpetrator of the homicide. He explained to the court that he was not the author of the homicide. However, the court found evidence contradicting the accused's version sufficient to impose preventive detention. We will appeal to the Court of Appeal and challenge the evidence presented by the court,” explained António Falé de Carvalho.

What Happened?

In the early hours of Saturday, the 12th-grade student known as 'Manu' was attacked with a knife outside the Academic Bar of the University of Minho, tragically dying in the hospital.

The PJ reports that “for reasons not yet fully clarified, members of two distinct groups were expelled from the establishment following a verbal altercation.”

“Afterwards, outside the bar, they engaged again, this time in physical confrontations, with the suspect using a knife to strike the victim, a 19-year-old, in the chest and upper right limb, injuries that proved fatal despite emergency assistance,” said the statement.

So far, the claim that the young man was attacked for reporting a group that was adulterating drinks for girls has not been confirmed by the Judicial Police. It is known that after alerting a security guard to the situation, he was assaulted and contacted the PSP (Public Security Police).

The entity also notes that there is a possibility that this was a confrontation between rival groups, according to a PJ statement.

The crime occurred around 5:30 AM, following a brawl involving about 20 people, as reported by a PSP source.

The bar's building is owned by the University of Minho, which has ceded its operation to a businessman. Following the crime, there have already been two fires reported at the building, partially damaging the bar.