In Brazil, a growing trend has emerged among the children and former spouses of notorious criminals seeking to erase their ties to a violent past. This phenomenon is not merely a bureaucratic formality; it reflects a deep desire for social acceptance, anonymity, and a fresh start. Recent cases reveal how these individuals are turning to the courts to remove names associated with heinous crimes that have shocked the nation.
Among the most notable cases is that of Cristian Cravinhos, convicted of the brutal murder of Suzane von Richthofen's parents in 2002. His 27-year-old son recently achieved a significant legal victory when the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) authorized him to remove his father's name from his birth certificate and identity card. The young man, who had previously distanced himself from the Cravinhos surname in 2009, argued that retaining his father's name continued to expose him to social embarrassment. "It doesn't help to not carry the surname but still have the full name of the criminal father in the field of affiliation," he stated in court documents, as reported by journalist Ullisses Campbell from O Globo.
Minister Nancy Andrighi, who presided over the case, emphasized that the father had completely abandoned his parental duties, leaving his son with no emotional or material support. The court recognized the psychological impacts of carrying such a name, which had caused the young man to experience bullying and social stigma throughout his life.
Similarly, Elize Matsunaga, who was convicted of murdering and dismembering her husband, Marcos Matsunaga, in 2012, has also been fighting to maintain her maternal rights while attempting to sever her ties to her infamous past. Her daughter, now 14 years old, is at the center of a legal dispute as her paternal grandparents seek to annul Elize's motherhood. They argue that preserving the connection to her mother would be detrimental to the girl's well-being, as she has been raised by her grandparents since infancy.
Elize has taken steps to dissociate herself from her past by legally changing her name to Elize Araújo Giacomini. In her ongoing legal battle, she asserts her right to motherhood, claiming that she has always shown affection and is capable of caring for her daughter. "My client wants to exercise her right to be a mother. She has not committed any crimes against her daughter," stated her attorney, Juliana Fincatti Santoro.
Another case that highlights this trend is that of Anna Carolina Jatobá, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison for the murder of her stepdaughter Isabella Nardoni in 2008. Upon her release, Anna Carolina abandoned her ex-husband's surname and returned to using her maiden name. Her two children also removed the 'Nardoni' surname from their documents, opting instead for their mother's maiden name and their paternal grandfather's surname, 'Alves'. Anna Carolina has even sought Italian citizenship for her children, signaling a desire to start anew outside Brazil.
Since the enactment of Law No. 14,382 in 2022, Brazilian legislation has allowed adults over 18 to change their first names without justification and to change their surnames under certain conditions, such as marriage, divorce, or adoption. However, when it comes to erasing a parent’s name from official documents, judicial intervention is typically required. The law aims to balance the right to a fresh start with the need to preserve the historical memory of the family.
In the case of Suzane von Richthofen, perhaps one of the most infamous figures in Brazil, she was released from prison in 2023 after serving part of her 39-year sentence for the murder of her parents. Following her release, she officially changed her name to Suzane Louise Magnani Muniz, combining her maternal grandmother's name with that of her current partner. This change reflects her attempt to distance herself from the notorious surname that has haunted her since the early 2000s.
Daniel Cravinhos, also implicated in the murder of Suzane's parents, has changed his name twice since his release. He first adopted his ex-wife's surname and later took on his current wife's surname, Daniel Andrade. In interviews, he has shared his struggles with societal rejection, recounting an incident where he was expelled from a restaurant due to his family's criminal history.
Despite the trend of name changes among the children of notorious criminals, not all individuals share the same desire to dissociate from their past. Cristian Cravinhos, currently serving a sentence of 43 years for his crimes, has publicly stated that he will not relinquish the name that has become synonymous with infamy. "I fell with this name, I will get up with it," he declared, indicating a refusal to distance himself from his identity.
The cases of these individuals illustrate a complex interplay between identity, legacy, and the pursuit of a new life. The legal battles they face raise important questions about the extent to which one can escape the shadow of their family's history. For many, changing their name is not merely about shedding a surname; it is about reclaiming their identity and seeking a life free from the stigma of their parents' actions.
As these cases continue to unfold in the Brazilian courts, they underscore the profound impact that familial ties and criminal legacies can have on the next generation. The decisions made by the STJ in favor of these individuals reflect a growing recognition of the need to protect the rights and well-being of children affected by their parents' crimes.
Ultimately, the quest for a fresh start is a powerful motivator for these young people, as they seek to redefine their identities and forge new paths in a society that often views them through the lens of their parents' actions.
