Kidnappings of Patrícia Abravanel and Silvio Santos

The kidnappings of Patrícia Abravanel and Silvio Santos were two criminal events that took place in August 2001. Both cases were committed by the same criminal, Fernando Dutra Pinto, 22 years old, in São Paulo, in addition to the participation of other accomplices.

The cases mobilized the press and public opinion. Patrícia, at the time a student, is the daughter of Senor Abravanel, better known as Silvio Santos, businessman and presenter, owner of the Brazilian Television System. Patricia was taken on August 21, 2001, and released on the 28th.

On August 30, Silvio Santos was arrested in his mansion, in Morumbi, having been held hostage for about seven hours. In addition to the wide press coverage, the case involved the governor of São Paulo at the time, Geraldo Alckmin, who went to the presenter's residence to participate in the negotiations.

Patricia Abravanel's kidnapping
TV Globo was forced to break protocol when talking about a case involving someone close to an entrepreneur of a competing broadcaster, SBT. The case made headlines for days on Jornal Nacional, the main news program on the Rio de Janeiro network. Globo itself argued at the time that disclosing the kidnappings was a board decision, having been taken in the 1990s because of the wave of kidnappings that took place in Rio de Janeiro. Like Jornal do Brasil, the broadcaster understood that keeping silent would only benefit criminals.

On SBT, the case affected the broadcaster's programming, which did not show the traditional programs presented by Silvio Santos. The Show do Milhão — the main attraction led by Silvio — and the Tele Sena draw were not shown on the Sunday following Patrícia's kidnapping, on August 26, 2001.

The kidnapping remained for days without major news. The Federal Police even offered to help in the case.

Patricia Abravanel's release
Patrícia was only released at dawn on the 28th, after paying a ransom of 500,000 reais. The captivity was ten kilometers from his residence. She was placed blindfolded in the front seat of her own car, a blue Passat, and was released on Marginal Pinheiros. Patricia arrived at her house around 2:50 am.

In the afternoon, father and daughter held a press conference on the balcony of the mansion in São Paulo. Evangelical, Patricia spoke in a religious tone and said that she forgave the kidnappers.

"I forgive the kidnappers, I don't forgive Brazil's corruption system. This happens because the people are poorly cared for by governments, by corruption. I want God's judgment to come on the corruption system in Brazil, that the Brazilian people deserve to be taken care of. ” -  Patricia Abravanel"

Patrícia spoke to the press in a smiling way and made several religious quotes. She said she had the Bible and one of the kidnappers said, "You are the best person in the world." At the time, the possibility arose that she was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological state in which the victim becomes attached to the criminal.

Silvio also spoke about the case. In the interview, he said that Patricia "speaks with her heart" and even joked that "she should ask the kidnappers to stay with her longer".

Arrest of kidnappers
On August 28, less than 24 hours after Patrícia Abravanel was released, São Paulo police arrested two kidnappers. Marcelo Batista Santos, aged 27 at the time, and Esdras Dutra Pinto, aged 19. Fernando Dutra Pinto, Esdras' brother, and a girlfriend, known as Jenifer, were still being sought. The couple would have the ransom money, about 500,000 reais.

Fernando Dutra Pinto ended up being discovered in a hotel in the commercial center of Alphaville, in the municipality of Barueri. He exchanged fire with police from the 91st Police District, killing two investigators: Marcos Amorim Bezerra and Tamatsu Tamaki. The kidnapper eventually got away.

Kidnapping of Silvio Santos
After his daughter's kidnapping, Silvio Santos resumed his routine on SBT. On August 29, he made the recordings for Show do Milhão and Tentação and also spoke about the case, thanking the people who prayed for the integrity of Patrícia Abravanel.

On the morning of August 30, Fernando Dutra Pinto reappeared when he invaded the presenter's house, in Morumbi. The woman, daughters and employees managed to leave, while the presenter was surrendered in the mansion with a gun pointed at his head.

Silvio stayed in the gymnastics hall and then taken to the kitchen. Civilian and military police surrounded the mansion. The kidnapper did not want to negotiate and even demanded a helicopter for the escape.

The presenter remained for almost eight hours in the hands of the criminal. He was released around 2:40 pm, alongside the then governor of São Paulo, Geraldo Alckmin, who went to the kidnapping site to participate in the negotiations. Fernando was taken to the Belém Provisional Detention Center, where the other two prisoners were.

The fact mobilized television stations. SBT's main competitor, Globo reported the case around 8:40 am, when presenter Carlos Nascimento, then on Jornal Hoje, made an entry on the program Mais Você, presented by Ana Maria Braga, informing that Fernando Dutra Pinto had taken refuge in the house by Silvio Santos. Around 9 am, the case was covered without interruption, a fact repeated by the other broadcasters. The coverage increased the audience of television stations, leaving Globo with 23 points, peaks of 31. SBT had 10 points, peaks of 19, and Record with an average of 7 and peaks of 12. On average, 30% of television sets in São Paulo were on in the morning, but the hijacking increased that share to 55%. In all, more than 3 million people followed the case in Greater São Paulo alone.

President of the Republic at the time of the kidnapping, Fernando Henrique Cardoso praised the actions of the São Paulo police. The agent said that the police acted "efficiently", showing that the corporation is "prepared to face kidnappings like this one".

Geraldo Alckmin faced criticism for going to the kidnapping site. However, the governor defended his performance and said he "would do it all over again".

Silvio Santos declined interview requests to talk about the case. The presenter testified on September 3, confirming that Fernando Dutra Pinto even asked for a helicopter for the escape.

Outcome of the case
On September 4, 2001, Luciana dos Santos Souza, known as "Jenifer", the kidnapper's girlfriend, was found in Bom Jesus da Lapa, Bahia. On the 5th, she was taken to São Paulo.

Fernando Dutra Pinto died on January 2, 2002, victim of a cardiac arrest, while he was imprisoned at the CDP in Belém. A conclusive report from the Instituto Médico Legal pointed out that Fernando died from a generalized infection caused by an infected and not properly treated wound on his back. One prisoner's report claims that Fernando was tortured by jailers.

On March 11, 2002, Esdra Dutra Pinto was sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison. Marcelo Batista Santos, Luciana Santos Sousa and Tatiane Pereira received sentences of 15 years each.