Márcio Chaer Dies After Collapsing While Chasing Phone Thief in São Paulo

Overview

• The 71-year-old journalist and ConJur founder collapsed and died after pursuing a suspect who had just stolen a cellphone near Estação Armênia on Saturday.
• São Paulo Military Police attended the scene and registered the occurrence at the 8th District Police in Brás while officers search for security footage to identify the alleged thieves.
• Initial reports and witness accounts point to a sudden cardiac event as the likely cause of death but authorities say the official medical cause remains under investigation.
• Chaer founded Consultor Jurídico in 1997 and built it into Brazil’s leading legal-journalism outlet, prompting public condolences from the president, Supreme Court ministers and major legal bodies.
• A public wake will be held in São Paulo on Monday and the case could heighten scrutiny of street safety and the use of surveillance images in policing and prosecutions in the central city area.