Otávio Jordão da Silva Cantanhede, a Brazilian amateur football referee, was lynched, quartered and beheaded by football spectators after he stabbed a player in a match he officiated on June 30, 2013.
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Incident
On June 30, 2013, Otávio was refereeing an amateur football match at Pio XII, in Maranhão, Brazil. Otávio sent off player Josemir Santos Abreu, 31, who refused to leave the field and began a fight with the referee. Abreu threw a punch, which prompted Otávio to draw a knife from his pocket and repeatedly stab Abreu. Abreu died on the way to the hospital. When fans watching the game, including Abreu's friends and family, found out about his death, they invaded the pitch and stoned Cantanhede, before decapitating him, quartering him, and putting his head on a stake in the pitch. Police chief Valter Costa was quoted as saying "One crime will never justify another".
Suspects
One suspect was arrested. However, police were searching for two more people, including Abreu's brother.
Viral video
A graphic video surfaced online shortly following the incident that shows medical personnel reassembling Otávio's body.