Case 132

Rui Pedro Teixeira Mendonça

*** Content Warning: child victims, child sexual abuse ***

On March 4 1998, the parents of Rui Pedro Teixeira Mendonça grew concerned when their son failed to show up for a lesson with his tutor. The 11-year-old had last been seen riding his bike near their family home in Lousada, Portugal. Police were convinced that Rui Pedro had simply gotten lost or injured, but his parents were certain foul play was involved. The spotlight was soon placed on 22-year-old truck driver Afonso Dias, but Rui Pedro’s whereabouts remained unknown.

Rui Pedro’s disappearance made headlines across Portugal and alleged sightings were reported from as far away as Paris. Investigators in the UK were looking into a string of unrelated crimes when they soon made a chilling discovery.

CREDITS

 

Casefile Presents

 

EPISODE:

Research & writing – Milly RasoErin Munro, and Elsha McGill

Creative direction – Milly Raso

Narration – Anonymous Host

 

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com

Audio production – Mike Migas 

Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn

 

OTHER:

Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska

 

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RESOURCES

 

TIMELINE

The main moments of the case Rui Pedro

 

VIDEO

Video message for Rui Pedro on the 16th anniversary of his disappearance

 

ARCHIVED WEBSITES

Rui Pedro.net

 

ARTICLES

‘Hello? I have in front of me your grandson Rui Pedro, eating an ice cream’ – Publico

Hell of paedo haven – Mirror

‘What about our missing children?’ – The Telegraph

Rui Pedro Case: He died without knowing his grandson – Cofina Media

Argument of the case Rui Pedro refutes accusation that alleges that suspect does not have alibi – Publico

“I swear by the health of my son that I did nothing” – Publico

Prostitute confirms meeting with Rui Pedro – TSF News

Prostitute says that defendant took Pedro the day of the disappearance – JN

Inspector believes that Rui Pedro is still alive – Expresso

Mother of Rui Pedro fed the serum – CM

“I too could have been missing” – JN

MP and Rui Pedro’s parents demand a repeat of the trial – Publico

Rui Pedro: Final allegations scheduled for January 26 – TSF News

Man sentenced to jail for kidnapping missing Rui Pedro – Portugal Resident

Mother of Rui Pedro: “I feel such a great revolt” – Flash!

Mother of Rui Pedro “revolted” with liberation of Afonso Dias – Flash!

Afonso Dias believes that Rui Pedro is alive – Diario de Noticias

Rui Pedro disappeared 20 years ago and only convicted of this case reaffirms innocence – Observador

Filomena Teixeira: “He [Afonso Dias] could put himself in my place, he also has a son…” – Caras

Rui Pedro’s mother makes new emotional appeal – Sapo

Rui Pedro’s family sends video to police due to similarities – Sabado

For Pedro, on his birthday – CM

Rui Pedro’s mother marks her son’s birthday with a touching message – Impala News

Guilty after six-year trial, Portugal’s high-society paedophile ring – Independent

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