In Barueri, Greater São Paulo, Diego Sanches, stepfather of 10-year-old Larissa Manuela, confessed to murdering the girl with 16 stab wounds on June 12, 2025. The crime, which shocked the local community, occurred inside the family’s home in the Jardim Tupã neighborhood. The confession came on Monday, June 23, after the Civil Police presented new evidence. Larissa was found dead by her mother, with wounds to her neck and chest, in a case that prompted intense investigations. The motive, according to the delegate, was linked to personal disputes, including an insult from the girl.
The tragedy shook Barueri, a city known for its relative calm in the metropolitan region. The case gained attention due to its brutality and the familial connection between victim and perpetrator. Diego, who initially denied involvement, was pressed by evidence such as security camera footage and a note apologizing to the victim’s mother.
Investigations revealed details pointing to Diego from the start. The absence of forced entry signs at the residence reinforced the hypothesis that the perpetrator had access to the house. Additionally, the knife used in the crime, which belonged to the family, disappeared, suggesting premeditation.
- Key evidence gathered by police:
- Security camera footage showing Diego near the crime scene.
- A note written by the stepfather asking forgiveness from Larissa’s mother.
- Seizure of the suspect’s flip-flops and cellphone for analysis.
- Reports of prior threats made by Diego against the girl.
Timeline of a brutal crime
The murder of Larissa Manuela occurred amid family tensions. On June 12, the girl was alone at home, as her mother was working and her 19-year-old brother was traveling to Sorocaba. Around 5 p.m., the mother found her daughter’s body next to the bed, with 16 wounds to her neck and chest. Forensic analysis ruled out sexual violence but confirmed the attack’s extreme brutality.
Diego Sanches was temporarily detained during the girl’s wake on June 13 but released after giving a statement. At the time, he claimed to be working during the crime. However, inconsistencies in his alibi emerged. Security footage showed the stepfather wearing different clothes at two points in the day, raising suspicions about his routine.
On June 16, in his second statement, Diego insisted he had a friendly relationship with Larissa, denying any conflict. “We used to play normally,” he stated. The police, however, had already seized his cellphone and a pair of flip-flops for forensic analysis.
Investigations and twists
The Barueri Civil Police, led by Delegate Dalmir de Magalhães, intensified efforts to clarify the case. A critical point was the analysis of security cameras, which captured a man with characteristics similar to Diego near the residence at the time of the crime. Additionally, a note found by authorities, in which Diego asked forgiveness from the victim’s mother, strengthened his connection to the murder.
On June 17, the police requested Diego’s temporary arrest, but the court denied it due to the absence of an available judge to review the request. The decision sparked outrage among family members and Barueri residents, who demanded justice for Larissa. On June 18, Diego gave a third statement, accompanied by two witnesses who tried to support his alibi. A man claimed the stepfather worked at his house from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., while the daughter of Diego’s boss said he was at work in the morning.
The contradictions persisted. Footage showed Diego returning to the community where the family lived around 8 a.m. on the day of the crime and leaving minutes later, possibly to retrieve his cellphone. These inconsistencies were decisive for the confession, which occurred during the fourth statement on June 23.
- Facts that weakened Diego’s alibi:
- Different clothes worn by the stepfather at two times of the day.
- Extended time to return to work after lunch.
- Conflicting witness statements regarding timelines.
- Absence of the shoes worn on the morning of the crime.
Family and community reactions
Cícero Regivan de Lucena, Larissa’s father, expressed deep outrage at Diego’s confession. In a press conference, he recounted how the stepfather comforted him outside the police station, a gesture he now considers hypocritical. “If I had known, I would’ve strangled him,” Cícero vented, demanding answers from the girl’s mother about the crime. He also noted that Larissa never mentioned issues with her stepfather, preferring to enjoy time with her father without discussing family matters.
Larissa’s mother, Adenuzia, revealed in an interview with the Balanço Geral program that she had denied Diego access to her cellphone the night before the crime, sparking an argument. She also stated that her daughter “wasn’t very close” to the stepfather, indicating tensions in their relationship. The Barueri community organized protests demanding justice and stricter investigations into crimes against children.
What motivated the crime?
Diego’s confession revealed a shocking motive. According to Delegate Dalmir de Magalhães, the stepfather claimed he disliked Larissa, viewing her as an obstacle in his relationship with the girl’s mother. An insult from the child, related to an alleged infidelity, reportedly triggered the attack. The suspect’s coldness was evident in his presence at Larissa’s wake and funeral, where he acted as if nothing had happened.
The crime’s brutality, with 16 stab wounds, stunned even the investigators. The knife used, which belonged to the household, was taken from atop a cabinet, suggesting Diego acted with premeditation. The police now await a court decision to formalize the suspect’s arrest, who will be charged with qualified homicide.
Next steps in the investigation
After the confession, Diego underwent a forensic examination and was transferred to the Carapicuíba Public Prison. The Civil Police continue to analyze the suspect’s car, which underwent technical examination to search for additional crime evidence. Investigators are also evaluating a possible connection to another family violence case: about two weeks before Larissa’s murder, her father, Cícero, was injured in a stabbing, raising suspicions that the two attacks may be linked.
- Final investigation steps:
- Forensic analysis of Diego’s vehicle for material evidence.
- Investigation of possible links to the attack on Larissa’s father.
- Awaiting court decision for formal arrest.
- Completion of the police inquiry for indictment.
Larissa Manuela’s tragedy highlights the vulnerability of children in strained family dynamics. The Barueri community remains in mourning, while the judiciary faces pressure to ensure the perpetrator’s punishment. The police emphasize the importance of reporting threats or domestic violence, noting that prevention can avert tragic outcomes like this.