Soldier Kelvin Barros confesses to the femicide of Corporal Maria de Lourdes in an Army barracks in DF and faces expulsion

A soldier from Exército Brasileiro confessed to the femicide of a corporal at Distrito Federal, on the afternoon of Friday, December 5, 2025. The crime occurred in the 1st Regimento of Cavalaria of Guardas, the unit responsible for the presidential guard in Brasília. The victim, Maria of Lourdes Freire Matos, aged 25, was found charred after the suspect set fire to the place to hide the homicide.

Kelvin Barros of Silva, aged 21, also assigned to the regiment, was arrested red-handed by Polícia Civil of Ele admitted to stabbing the victim in the neck during an argument and fleeing with her gun, which was later recovered from a drain. Exército reported that the attacker faces criminal charges and will be excluded from the institution’s ranks.

The case gained immediate repercussion due to the military context and the nature of the crime, classified as feminicide. Investigadores highlight that the suspect alleged an extramarital relationship with the victim, a version contested by her family.

• Main crimes charged: femicide, firearm theft, arson and procedural fraud.
• Maximum possible sentence: up to 54 years in prison, according to the police station’s initial analysis.
• Exact location: fanfare sector of the 1st RCG, at Setor Militar Urbano.
• Victim’s length of service: joined five months ago as a musician.

Victim’s trajectory in the regiment

Maria de Lourdes Freire Matos joined Exército five months ago, occupying the position of saxophonist in the fanfare of the 1st Sua time at the unit was marked by positive evaluations from colleagues, who highlighted the commitment to musical and protocol activities.

The corporal participated in official ceremonies, including presidential guard events, contributing to the tradition of the military band. Familiares reported that she saw the service as a professional achievement, after training in music and passing an internal competition.

The regiment issued a statement lamenting the loss, emphasizing the soldier’s professionalism during her six months of service.

Confession and arrest details

Kelvin Barros of Silva was arrested shortly after the crime, in Batalhão of In testimony to the 2nd Delegacia of Polícia, of Asa Norte, he described the sequence of events initiated by an argument about the relationship.

The suspect stated that the victim pulled out his pistol, at which point he restrained her and used her military knife to stab her in the neck. He then used alcohol and a lighter to set fire to the fanfare section, escaping with the weapon, which he discarded at Itapoã.

Police recovered the pistol wrapped in military uniform, but the victim’s cell phone remains missing. Deputy Paulo Noritika confirmed that the attacker did not have a criminal record.

Investigators carried out joint examinations with Polícia of Exército, Civil and Corpo of Bombeiros to map evidence at the scene.

Exército internal procedures

Exército Brasileiro instituted Inquérito Policial Militar immediately after the incident. The official note from Força highlights the support for the victim’s family and the rejection of criminal acts, with strict punishment for those involved.

Both the suspect and the victim belong to the 1st RCG, known as Dragões of Independência, responsible for elite missions in the federal capital. The exclusion of Kelvin Barros follows administrative protocols for military personnel involved in serious crimes.

The institution reinforced that investigations continue to clarify all circumstances, including access to flammable materials in the barracks.

• Support provided: psychological and logistical assistance to the family of Maria and Lourdes.
• Preventive measures: review of safety protocols in similar units.
• Survey period: up to 40 days, extendable as necessary.

Repercussions in the military context

The crime exposes questions about interpersonal relationships in military environments, where hierarchy and discipline govern the routine. Colegas in uniform expressed condolences in internal communications, focusing on the cable’s legacy as a dedicated musician.

Distrito Federal authorities classify the case as qualified femicide, given the alleged passionate motivation. The victim’s family denies any romantic involvement, which could influence the suspect’s line of defense.

Corpo of Bombeiros controlled the fire within minutes, preventing further damage to the regiment’s structure. Peritos identified excess combustible material, a factor that accelerated the spread of the flames.

Family and investigative version

Family members of Maria and Lourdes Freire Matos dispute the relationship narrative presented by Kelvin Barros. Eles state that the corporal maintained an exclusive focus on her military career, with no evidence of emotional involvement with the soldier.

The police station collects additional statements from witnesses in the regiment to corroborate or refute the facts. Delegate Noritika emphasizes the robustness of the material evidence, such as the knife found embedded in the wound.

The investigation progresses with analysis of communications between those involved, aiming to reconstruct the exact timeline of the incident.

Exército maintains confidentiality regarding operational details, prioritizing the integrity of the investigation.

Context of the crime in the barracks

The 1st Regimento of Cavalaria of Guardas operates in a high security environment, with routines that include training and protocol events. The brass band sector, where the homicide occurred, houses instruments and materials for official presentations.

The fire was reported at 2pm on Friday, with fire crews called via military radio. Durante cooling, the charred body was located, starting the chain of investigations.

Crime scene specialists collected traces, including alcohol residue and fingerprints on the used lighter.

The unit temporarily suspended activities in the affected area for complete examinations, with no impact on essential missions.

Updates on the suspect

Kelvin Barros of Silva, assigned to the same regiment for longer than the victim, was part of the logistical support team. Sua arrest occurred in the act, with immediate transfer to military custody.

The administrative exclusion process proceeds parallel to the judicial process, according to the Força regulations. Advogados of the defense have not yet publicly commented on the confession.

Police are monitoring possible additional connections, but the focus remains on direct authorship of the crime.