A 47-year-old Brazilian man, Antônio Rocha de Sousa, has been found dead just days after uploading a controversial video in which he was seen setting a Bible on fire and denouncing religion.
According to police reports, Antônio was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds on Wednesday, May 14, in Tianguá, a municipality in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Authorities are currently treating the case as a homicide, with investigations underway to determine if his death is linked to the widely condemned video.
In the now-viral footage posted on social media just 10 days prior to his death, Antônio was seen holding a Bible and setting it alight while delivering an incendiary monologue. “This here is a Bible, which they say is sacred. Look what it does when faced with fire. It burns,” he declared.
He went further to say, “To me, God doesn’t exist. This is just a way to enslave and manipulate people. If you haven’t woken up yet, it’s time to wake up.”
The video sparked outrage online and drew strong reactions from religious communities and observers around the world.
There are conflicting reports about where Antônio’s body was found—some sources state he was gunned down in the street, while others suggest he was found dead inside his residence by concerned locals who then alerted the police.
A police spokesperson confirmed: “We are looking into all possibilities, including a potential connection between the video and the killing. No arrests have been made as of now.”
Investigations have also revealed that Antônio had a history of criminal behavior, including allegations of grievous bodily harm (GBH). Authorities were already probing him for theft, damage to property, and sacrilege, especially as there is suspicion the Bible he burned may have been stolen.
Antônio’s social media accounts reportedly contained numerous rants and provocative posts, some of which appeared contradictory. His final message before his death read: “Follower of Christ, (peacekeeper of Peace). Born again in (Christ), among the living, who were once dead… after having been tested, tried, and approved by God.”
The case has drawn comparisons to that of Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee in Sweden who faced global backlash for burning Qurans in 2023 and was later shot in his home in January 2025.
As investigations continue, Antônio’s death remains a stark reminder of the rising global tensions surrounding religious disrespect, blasphemy, and freedom of expression.
