Five-year-old girl 'killed by mum and stepdad' buried alive in cement-covered grave

A girl who was allegedly killed by her mum and dad was horrifically buried alive, according to a forensic report. Maria Clara Aguirre Lisboa's body was found in a shallow, cement-covered grave at the back of the house where she lived with the couple. Mum Luiza Aguirre Barbosa da Silva and stepdad Rodrigo Ribeiro Machado are both in custody and have confessed to the crime . A post-mortem medical report found the five-year-old girl died from mechanical asphyxiation caused by burial. The report included shocking details that soil was found in the young girl's windpipe, suggesting Maria Clara was still breathing when she was buried. It also identified head trauma consistent with assaults involving a blunt object before the burial in Itapetininga, Brazil . The girl's body was found on October 14, 2025, but is believed to have been buried for around 20 days, according to forensic experts. Maria Clara's paternal grandfather reported her missing to child services in early October, with the case passed to police on October 8. Child Protective Services said the team had already been monitoring the family following an apparent incident in which the stepfather made threats, months before the girl died. The agency said it had not been able to make contact with the mum since August. During the investigation, police uncovered a chilling audio message from Machado, then 23, to the girl's father. In it, he told the dad his child was dead and urged him to stop "bothering" him and Da Silva, then 25, for information. In the terrifying message, he said: "Mate, are you deaf as well or something? Don't wind me up, mate. I've already told you your daughter's dead. She doesn't even exist any more. Stop messing me about, all right? Stop sending me messages, yeah?" Machado, who has a criminal record, is also accused of physically and psychologically abusing both Maria Clara and her mother, according to lead investigator Franco Augusto. He added that Da Silva also abused her daughter. Police say Machado is linked to the PCC (First Capital Command) gang, where he is known as "ruthless brother". He and Da Silva are due back in court on 19 May. They face charges of murder with aggravating factors and concealment of a body. Maria Clara's aunt wrote at the time: "My heart is in pieces knowing that your life was taken in such a cruel and unjust way."