Former Brazillian footballer, 35-year-old João Rodrigo Silva Santos's head was left at his doorstep.
His wife, Geisa Silva, discovered his severed head on their front step on her way to work. His eyes and tongue had been cut out and his head placed inside on of his own rucksacks.
His wife reported him missing around 9 a.m. Monday.
Police in Rio de Janeiro are investigating the grisly killing, though they haven't said who they believe is behind it.
The former football player was last seen Monday night, when two suspects entered his vehicle.
According to local
media, Santos' wife, Geisa Silva, worked for the police in one of Rio's
shantytowns, but as a social worker giving swimming lessons to children,
not as a policewoman.
She told investigators she did not know of any threats made against her husband, according to TV Record.
Some of Santos'
relatives and neighbors told O Globo that he didn't have any enemies and
said they didn't know what could have motivated the attack.
Santos started his
football career when he was 16 years old, and played for several
Brazilian club teams. He played for the Bangu club team from 1996 to
2005.
1998, he played for Honduras' Olimpia club. And in 2003 he played for Sweden's Oster club.
He was described "humble hero".
Very saddening. RIP to him.
