Advertising executive attacked during robbery on a walkway in Barra Funda, SP, dies

Advertising executive Adriano Campos Pedreira, 37, died on Sunday night (29) after spending around 20 days in a coma at Santa Casa , in downtown São Paulo .

The man was attacked by a group of criminals during a robbery as he passed through a footbridge in Barra Funda in the early hours of June 8.

"My brother is yet another victim of violence in the city. Very sad, very revolting," Joana Campos, the publicist's older sister, told Folha .

"He was a sensational guy. A Corinthians fan, he played the piano and had a legion of friends. Everyone is devastated. I hope the region gets better. And that this doesn't happen to anyone else," she added.

Adriano was heading home when he was approached by a group of four or five people in the middle of a walkway that connects Sousa Lima and Luigi Greco streets. It is suspected that at least some of them were under 18 years old.

The walkway passes over the CPTM (São Paulo Metropolitan Train Company) tracks and is close to the Moinho favela and Barra Funda station.

After being attacked, Pedreira went home. On the way, he met a security guard on the street, hired by residents of nearby condominiums, and told him what had happened. According to his family, he arrived home nervous and explained that his cell phone had been stolen and that he had been beaten while walking along the footbridge.

In a lot of pain, he took some medicine and went to sleep, but he didn't wake up the next day. The family then called an ambulance and he was taken to Santa Casa.

TheCivil Police investigation focuses on hearing witnesses and analyzing security camera footage.

The area, full of bars and cafes, is subject to daily attacks by robbers on bicycles, a group known as the bike gang. After stealing cell phones from pedestrians, they sell the phones to the numerous receivers who operate in the central area.

"He was just walking home, and he lost his life over a cell phone. It's disgusting. This walkway needs to be lit and safe," added Joana.