Mother Seeks Justice for Her Son as Brazilian Court Case Leads to Search in Australia

What began with a devastating car crash in Brazil has developed into a case spanning two countries, leaving a mother searching for justice and Brazilian authorities attempting to locate a man court documents indicate moved to Australia.

Bernardo Henriques was critically injured following a car crash in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, on 31 May 2025.

His mother, Iara Henriques, says the incident changed her family's life. She alleges that Cristiano Simões dos Santos was driving the vehicle involved and that alcohol was involved before the collision.

Documents provided to and reviewed by Portal Gringo News show that the incident subsequently became the subject of criminal proceedings before the 4th Criminal Court of Vila Velha.

The court records describe Bernardo's medical condition following the incident as extremely serious.

The allegations against Cristiano Simões dos Santos have not resulted in a conviction, and he remains entitled to due process, legal representation and the presumption of innocence.

From a Brazilian case to an Australian search

The case took an international turn after Brazilian judicial authorities attempted to locate Simões dos Santos.

According to the court documents reviewed by Portal Gringo News, a criminal complaint was received by the court in July 2026, and precautionary measures were imposed during the proceedings.

The records state that when authorities later attempted to locate Simões dos Santos at the address provided to the court, he could not be found.

Information presented in the proceedings indicated that he had moved to Australia.

Brazilian prosecutors subsequently sought his pre-trial detention, and the court issued a warrant authorising his arrest and detention while the criminal proceedings continue.

The warrant supplied to Portal Gringo News lists an expiry date of 20 July 2046.

This is an important legal distinction: the warrant is not a finding of guilt or a criminal conviction. The allegations remain subject to determination by the Brazilian justice system.

International cooperation and INTERPOL

The Brazilian court documents also refer to measures intended to seek international assistance in locating Simões dos Santos, including steps relating to the INTERPOL Red Notice system.

Portal Gringo News has not independently confirmed that INTERPOL has published or issued a Red Notice for Simões dos Santos. The documents reviewed show that Brazilian judicial authorities ordered steps towards international circulation.

This distinction matters.

INTERPOL states that a Red Notice is a request to law-enforcement authorities worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition, surrender or similar legal proceedings. It is not an international arrest warrant, and each country determines what action can be taken under its own laws.

The absence of a person's name from INTERPOL's public website would also not establish that no notice exists. INTERPOL says the majority of Red Notices are restricted to law-enforcement use and are not made public.

The Australian connection

Portal Gringo News also examined an Australian business record that could provide another lead in the case.

The Australian Government's ABN Lookup database records an individual/sole trader under the name “SIMOES DOS SANTOS, CRISTIANO”, with a registration commencing on 19 August 2025 and a main business location listed as NSW 2035.

The timing and location are potentially significant because the Brazilian court documents separately indicate that Simões dos Santos had moved to Australia.

However, Portal Gringo News emphasises that a business registration bearing the same full name does not, on its own, conclusively establish that the registered individual is the same person named in the Brazilian proceedings, nor does it establish his current location.

Comments posted in response to the family's public appeal have also suggested that Simões dos Santos may have been seen in the Maroubra area of Sydney.

Portal Gringo News has not independently verified those sightings, and they should therefore be treated as unconfirmed information rather than an established current whereabouts.

A mother's search for justice

Behind the court orders, international procedures and search for information is a family that says it is still dealing with the consequences of what happened to Bernardo.

Iara has appealed publicly for information that could assist authorities in locating Simões dos Santos.

Her message, she says, is not about retaliation.

The family is asking members of the Brazilian community in Australia, and the wider public, to provide any credible information about his whereabouts to the appropriate authorities.

Anyone who believes they have information relevant to the case should contact police rather than approaching or confronting the individual themselves. INTERPOL similarly advises members of the public with information concerning a wanted person to contact local police authorities.

Right of reply

Portal Gringo News is seeking comment from Cristiano Simões dos Santos regarding the allegations contained in the Brazilian proceedings and will include his response if one is received.

The allegations against Simões dos Santos have not been proven by a final criminal conviction. This report is based on judicial documents supplied to Portal Gringo News, information provided by Bernardo Henriques' family, and independently reviewed public records.

Portal Gringo News will continue to follow developments in the case.