A popular Brazilian singer in the bars of Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas state, was brutally murdered while preparing to start a performance at a nightclub in the Santa Etelvina area, in the northern part of the Amazonian capital.
Ronaldo da Fonseca Cuadro, 46, known as “Maranhao dos Teclados”, was executed by 12 shots at close range by a hooded man at the Pit Bull bar on Avenida Mulateiro, where he was about to perform minutes later.
The killer, a man who entered the room wearing a hood to hide his face and gloves that protected his hands to keep out fingerprints, approached the artist as he leaned down in the stage area to run wires through.
Realizing the killer’s presence, Ronaldo looked up and they stared straight into each other’s eyes for a few seconds before the killer started shooting, giving the victim no chance of defense.
According to the Amazonas military police, “Maranhão dos Teclados” was hit by 12 rounds from a high-powered 9mm automatic pistol, clearly indicating intent to kill the victim. The killer shot Ronaldo eight times in the head and four times in the chest, close to the heart.
Relatives and friends told the police that they were extremely surprised, as they were completely unaware of any feuds between the popular singer and anyone else, and also did not know that someone had threatened him.
“Maranhão dos Teclados” got this artistic name because he was born in the state of Maranhão, also in northern Brazil, but lived in Manaus for 26 years, was married and had five daughters from a previous relationship.