Itumbiara, Brazil – The wife of a municipal secretary in Itumbiara, Goiás, has broken her silence following a horrific act of violence that has shaken the community. Thales Machado, 40, the secretary of government, fatally shot his two sons, aged 8 and 12, before taking his own life, according to reports. Sarah Tinoco Araújo, Machado’s wife, released a statement acknowledging her pain and recognizing her role in the tragedy, while emphasizing the innocence of her children. The case, which unfolded rapidly on social media, has prompted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the motivations behind Machado’s actions.
The tragedy began to unfold on Wednesday night, February 11, 2026, when Machado posted a message on social media confessing to the shootings. According to reports, the post alluded to suspicions of infidelity on the part of his wife. “It’s hard to start writing, but everything has an end… and today ours has arrived, unfortunately,” Machado wrote, as reported by Semana. The post was quickly removed, but not before alerting authorities and family members to the unfolding crisis. The younger son was rushed to the Hospital Estadual de Itumbiara São Marcos, where he remains in critical condition in the ICU, according to a statement from the city’s government.
In her public statement, Araújo expressed profound grief and acknowledged errors within her marriage. “Today I write with a broken heart, overwhelmed by indescribable pain. I lost my children, my family, and a part of myself forever,” she wrote. “I recognize, before everyone, that I made mistakes in my marriage. Mistakes that hurt, that caused pain, and that should never have happened.” Araújo’s statement, reported by Semana, underscores the devastating impact of the events on the entire family and the community. The body of 12-year-old Miguel Araújo Machado was being held at the home of his grandfather, Dione Araújo, the mayor of Itumbiara, as of February 12, 2026, according to G1.
The investigation, led by the Goiás Civil Police, is focusing on the alleged marital issues as a potential motive for the tragedy. According to Veja, investigators are examining Machado’s claim that his wife was traveling to São Paulo to meet another person. Machado reportedly wrote in his social media post that his wife had left Itumbiara to meet someone in São Paulo, leading to feelings of distrust. “My wife left Itumbiara towards São Paulo to meet someone… These were difficult days here. She has been different for a few days, and that’s where the distrust was born, but I never imagined it would come to this point,” he allegedly wrote.
Araújo’s statement also emphasized the innocence of her children, stating, “But I must also say that nothing justifies the tragedy that destroyed our family. My children were innocent, full of life, dreams, and love. They didn’t deserve this. They were the light of my days, and now I live in the darkness of longing and regret.” She extended apologies to family, friends, and all those affected by the tragedy, and specifically to her sons. The Prefeitura de Itumbiara has declared three days of official mourning, suspending public services during this period, as reported by G1.
The case has prompted a wave of grief and shock throughout Itumbiara and beyond. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities seeking to fully understand the events leading up to the tragedy and to determine whether any other factors contributed to Machado’s actions. The focus remains on providing support to the surviving family members and ensuring justice is served. The incident underscores the devastating consequences of domestic conflict and the importance of addressing mental health concerns.
As of February 17, 2026, the 8-year-old son remains hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities have not released a timeline for the completion of the investigation. Further updates will be provided as they become available. Anyone affected by domestic violence or experiencing suicidal thoughts is encouraged to reach out for help. Resources are available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
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