Friends deny that João Rebello Fernandes, 45, was involved in drug trafficking in the region

The death of music producer and DJ João Rebello Fernandes, 45, in Trancoso, in the south of Bahia, took family and friends by surprise. THE Former TV Globo child actor was shot dead on Thursday night (24), in Independence Square. According to people close to him, Vunje, as he was known, was waiting for a friend when he was executed. Both would make a technical visit to Arena Trancoso, where a musical event would be held on November 9th.

A person close to João Rebello found out about the DJ’s death through this friend, who is also part of the Trancoso art scene. He prefers not to be identified, but claims that the victim was not involved in drug trafficking. The information was published on news portals after the crime.

“Vunje was waiting for our friend to make a technical visit to a party space that would take place on November 9th. He was standing in front of a supermarket. I found out [da morte] when she called me and said he had been killed,” he says. “Based on the number of shots, it looks like it was an execution. We speculate that they confused him”, he adds.

If João Rebello was known nationally for his career as a child actorhaving participated in the soap opera Bebê a Bordo (1988), his career as a DJ and music producer made him known in Trancoso. Two years ago, he and two friends founded Beatzada, an event that brings together DJs and MCs from the city. The next edition, which would have taken place on the 9th, was canceled after Vunje’s death.

“It’s a lie that Vunje was involved in drug trafficking. He was a good, peaceful guy who had no involvement in crime”, he says. João Rebello moved to Trancoso at least three years ago and lived with his wife. He leaves behind a teenage son, who lives in Rio de Janeiro.

“He was a reserved and calm guy. He liked to stay at home with his wife and his dog”, says the friend. In 2022, the DJ produced the musical documentary Pontos de Funk. There is still no information about the burial.

João Rebello was in a car when two men on a motorcycle approached and shot him at close range, on Wednesday night (24). He died at the scene. The Civil Police are investigating the authorship and motivation of the crime.

João Rebello was the son of actress and director Maria Rebello, and also the nephew of TV director Jorge Fernando, who died in 2019. One of the most notable roles in his career was in the soap opera Bebê a Bordo (1988).

He also stood out in productions such as Vamp (1991), Deus nos Acuda (1992) and Cambalacho (1986). Away from TV since “Zazá” in 1997, he participated in Globo’s ‘Divertics’ in 2013.