Brazilian Actress Daniela Perez Brutally Murdered by Co-star and His Wife

Published on: 25 Oct 2025 at 01:17 PM

Published by: Gill Bikram

Brazilian Actress Daniela Perez Brutally Murdered by Co-star and His Wife

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — December 28, 1992:
The shocking murder of Brazilian television star Daniela Perez remains one of the most infamous crimes in the country’s entertainment history. At the time of her death, nearly 40 million viewers watched her daily on the hit soap opera De Corpo e Alma (“Of Body and Soul”).

The Night of the Murder

On the evening of December 28, 1992, after finishing a day of filming, 22-year-old Daniela Perez left the studio in her Ford Escort to drive home. She stopped at a gas station to refuel before continuing her journey. Hours later, her body was found in a deserted area, hidden among the bushes on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

An autopsy revealed she had been stabbed 18 times, mostly in the chest and neck.

A key eyewitness, retired lawyer Hugo Del Vieira, reported seeing two vehicles — a Santana and a Ford Escort — parked suspiciously along a dark, isolated road around 9:30 PM, the same time Perez went missing.

The Killers and the Motive

Investigations quickly led to her co-star, Guilherme de Pádua, and his wife, Paula Thomaz. Both were arrested and later convicted of the brutal killing. Guilherme had acted alongside Daniela in De Corpo e Alma and had filmed scenes with her earlier that same day.

Reports suggested jealousy and professional rivalry as potential motives. The murder stunned Brazil, not only because of Daniela’s fame but also due to the cold-blooded nature of the crime.

Who Was Daniela Perez?

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Daniela was the daughter of acclaimed television writer Gloria Perez, known for creating several hit Brazilian dramas.

From a young age, Daniela was passionate about dance and began training at age five. She later transitioned to acting, debuting at 19 years old in the series Barriga de Aluguel (“Surrogate Mother”), written by her mother. Her portrayal of a tango dancer in the show made her a household name.

At just 19, Daniela married Raul Gazolla, an actor 15 years her senior. Despite her young age, she was admired for her professionalism and grace both on and off screen.

Legacy

Her death sent shockwaves across Brazil. Public outrage over the lenient sentencing laws at the time led her mother, Gloria Perez, to campaign for harsher penalties for violent crimes, resulting in a significant amendment to Brazil’s criminal code.

Even decades later, Daniela Perez’s murder remains a haunting reminder of how fame and envy collided in one of Brazil’s darkest celebrity tragedies.