Suspect in kidnapping and murder of Algarve luxury restaurant manager found dead in Faro prison cell
A 39-year-old man held in preventive detention for the violent death of restaurateur Ricardo Claro was discovered lifeless on Friday morning at the Estabelecimento Prisional de Faro. Prison guards found him unresponsive during the daily cell opening; an autopsy will determine the cause.
Discovery at Faro Prison
On Friday, 24 July 2026, prison guards at the Estabelecimento Prisional de Faro found a 39-year-old detainee dead inside the cell he shared with another inmate. The man, held in preventive detention since March for his alleged role in the kidnapping and murder of Ricardo Claro, did not respond during the morning opening procedure.
The inmate did not respond to the call during the morning opening of the cells and the first indications point to natural death.
A judicial source told Expresso there are no signs of violent death or suicide at this stage, and the body will be autopsied. The Polícia Judiciária (PJ) has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the death, and emergency services (INEM) were called immediately after the discovery.
The disappearance and murder of Ricardo Claro
Ricardo Claro, 50, the human resources director and partner of the luxury restaurant Well in the Vale do Lobo tourist complex in Almancil, disappeared on 13 March 2026 after dining at his mother's home in Faro. His family reported him missing, and the PJ launched an investigation.
On 20 March, the PJ announced the arrest of a 39-year-old man on suspicion of kidnapping and robbery. According to the police, strong evidence indicated that Claro's disappearance was not voluntary and that a criminal plan had been designed to deprive him of his freedom and steal all valuable items he carried or could access.
The evidence collected allowed us to conclude that a criminal project was outlined consisting of depriving the victim of his liberty, aiming at the appropriation of all valuable objects he was carrying or to which it was possible to gain access.
The suspect was placed in preventive detention by the Court of Faro, facing charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and aggravated card abuse.
Discovery of the body
On 2 April 2026, the PJ located Ricardo Claro's body in a wasteland in the Esteval area of Loulé. The victim was found with his wrists and ankles bound with adhesive tape, and the PJ stated there were strong indications of violent death that likely occurred on the day of his disappearance.
Upon observation of the identified scene, there are strong indications of violent death which, all indications suggest, occurred on the date of disappearance.
The suspects had reportedly lured Claro into an ambush, fatally assaulted him, then accessed the restaurant safe, burgled his home, and conducted several bank transactions using money belonging to the victim and the establishment.
The other suspects and the Brazilian connection
The PJ identified three suspects, all Brazilian nationals. The 39-year-old now deceased was the only one held in preventive detention. The other two suspects are believed to have fled to Brazil, leaving the investigation into Claro's murder without key defendants.
The DGRSP confirmed that an autopsy will be performed to clarify the cause of death, while internal prison procedures and judicial communications are underway.
- Ricardo Claro disappears after dinner at his mother's home in Faro.
- PJ arrests a 39-year-old suspect on kidnapping and robbery charges.
- Claro's body found in Loulé, bound with adhesive tape; PJ confirms violent death.
- Suspect found dead in his Faro prison cell; autopsy ordered.
