Episode 187: The Von Richthofen Family Murder

The Von Richthofen family murder was a notorious 2002 case in Brazil involving 18-year-old Suzane von Richthofen, who helped plan the murders of her wealthy parents, Manfred and Marísia von Richthofen, in São Paulo. Suzane, along with her boyfriend Daniel Cravinhos and his brother Cristian, arranged the killings while her parents slept in their home. The brothers beat the couple to death with iron bars, and the crime was initially staged to look like a burglary.

Police quickly became suspicious after inconsistencies appeared in Suzane’s behavior and statements. Investigators uncovered the conspiracy within days, shocking Brazil because Suzane came from an affluent, educated family and appeared to have orchestrated the murders largely because her parents disapproved of her relationship with Daniel. All three were convicted in 2006 and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The case remains one of Brazil’s most infamous true crime stories.