One of the most controversial points in the Elois Pimentel case is the conduct of the press while covering the case. The crime shocked the country when it was broadcast live on television stations, which showed negotiations between Lindbergh Alves and the police.
Broadcaster Sonia Abrau is one of the professionals who has generated the most controversy. At that time, the veteran gave a live interview, during the program A Tarde é Sua, on Rede TV!, with the kidnapper and the victim, while negotiations with the police were still ongoing.
This position has been strongly criticized by authorities and experts, due to the risk of direct interference in the police operation. The prosecutor’s office even discussed the possibility of holding the broadcaster liable, on the grounds that the interview may have endangered the lives of the hostages.
In an interview with UOL in 2014, the broadcaster commented on the episode and stated that she did not regret her stance. “Our team was behind the phone at Elua’s house. We called and he answered. He agreed to talk, and reporter Luiz Guerra recorded the story. Lindbergh watched the program, and when our reporter called back, he said he wanted to talk live because he was worried — he didn’t want Brazil to think he was a criminal.”
Sonia said: “I was presenting the program when the director warned me that Lindbergh was on the line. I spoke to him thanks to my journalistic experience. I spoke to Elwa too. In the middle of the conversation, he hung up and hung up. Everyone was watching me: the police, the press and the public.”
Remember the case
Eloá Pimentel was kidnapped and murdered in 2008 by her ex-boyfriend Lindemberg Alves. She was taken hostage in Santo André, São Paulo.
The case mobilized the country: there were 100 hours of negotiations with the police, who tried in every way to save the teenager alive and prevent the tragic outcome.
After four tense days, the kidnapper shot Elwa. She was rescued but did not survive her injuries and became brain dead.
The crime was depicted in the documentary Caso Eloá: Refém ao Vivo, recently released on Netflix. The production features unpublished testimonies from Elua’s parents, brother Douglas and friend Grasile Oliveira, who speak publicly about the case for the first time. The production also features reports from journalists and authorities who followed the crime.
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