Businessman murdered in Tocantins was dedicated to work and family, says son

Silvano Bilio da Silva, a 47-year-old businessman, was shot and killed on Saturday, 29 November, on Santa Tereza Street in Darcinópolis, in northern Tocantins state. The owner of a building materials store, his death has shocked his family and the local community.

According to the Military Police (PM), the assailants arrived at the scene in a car, shot Silva, and fled. Two men were arrested on the BR-153 highway, near the access to the municipality of Riachinho, moments after the crime.

A life of work and faith

Speaking to g1 five days after the murder, one of Silva's sons, João Witor Bilio Flores, a 22-year-old seminarian and Theology student in Brasília, described his father as a simple family man who built his life through hard work. Originally from Nova Olinda, Silva worked on the land with his grandfather from a young age, later learning carpentry, a trade he practised for years.

Approximately seven years ago, he sold the carpentry workshop he had built to purchase the building materials store. "Since 2018 we were here," said João Witor. "My father, my mother, and my two younger brothers worked in the shop. He had many, many friends and clients."

Final days and unanswered questions

The family, deeply connected to the Catholic Church, said Silva was dedicated to parish services. "My father even used to joke that our house was becoming the priests' house," recalled the seminarian, stating that visiting clergy would often stop by for meals.

On the morning of his death, Silva had spoken by phone with João Witor, who was on his way home for holidays. The day before, the businessman had worked all day and later attended a church couples' retreat meeting in Araguaína with his wife.

The son stated the family has no information on the motive for the homicide from investigators but is certain his father owed nothing "financially or morally." "Everyone in this city liked my father," he emphasised.

Investigation continues

The Tocantins Public Security Secretariat (SSP) informed that the case remains under investigation by the 31st Police Precinct of Darcinópolis but that no information can be released. The department stated the inquiry is following its normal course within the legally stipulated timeframe.