Twin Sisters' Brutal Execution Livestreamed On Instagram; Teen Suspect Arrested

Twin teenage sisters from Brazil's northeastern Ceará region were allegedly kidnapped and murdered by a criminal gang over a week ago due to their knowledge of drug trafficking activities, with their double execution being livestreamed on social media.

The two women, identified as Amalia Alves and Amanda Alves, both 18, were found dead on the side of a road behind a housing complex in the municipality of Pacajús on July 14, Chilean news outlet Terra reported.

The sisters' double execution was allegedly livestreamed on Instagram, with footage showing both women being forced to lift up their hair into a bun as they kneeled next to each other before they were fatally shot in the back of their heads, a report by the New York Post said.

The gunman allegedly proceeded to fire two more shots at one of the girls before standing over and shooting at the other. Police later learned of the killings after they were alerted by residents of the neighborhood who discovered the bodies.

Amalia and Amanda, who reportedly were both mothers, may have been killed because they "knew too much" about drug-related activities, local newspaper Jornal de Brasilia reported.

A 17-year-old boy, identified as Mateus Abreu, was arrested by Ceará Civil Police after he was accused of being the gunman behind the sisters' murders, according to the Terra report.

Abreu had seven previous arrests for illegal possession of a weapon, robbery and intentional bodily injury in 2020 and this year, according to Brazilian newspaper Diário do Nordeste.

Amanda left behind a 3-year-old daughter, while Amalia is survived by her 6-month-old son.

A similar incident happened late last year when a video of an off-duty police officer fatally shooting an unarmed 52-year-old woman and her 25-year-old son in the Philippines went viral on social media.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Staff Sergeant Jonel Nuezca, 52, was charged with two counts of murder after allegedly murdering Sonya and Frank Gregorio on Dec. 20, 2020.

The alleged shooting, which was initially believed to have been caused by a right of way dispute, had been witnessed by Nuezca's daughter, who was right beside him during the incident.

Nuezca surrendered to police shortly after and was dismissed by the PNP in January after pleading not guilty over the killings.