Book Influencer Tais Bruna de Castro Tragically Murdered at 36 — Details

What began as a routine lunch in a bustling commercial complex ended in horror—and left a beloved voice in Brazil’s literary scene silenced.

The literary community is mourning the death of Taís Bruna de Castro, a beloved book influencer who was fatally stabbed at just 36 years old. The crime unfolded during lunchtime on Monday, June 2. Taís was dining in the food court of the "Beco Fino" commercial complex, where she also worked as a travel agent.

It was here, amid the clatter of trays and quiet conversations, that the attack took place. The suspect, Cláudio Elizeu, 40, worked as a cleaning assistant in the same complex. Surveillance footage captured the chilling moment he approached her in silence.

Witnesses say he stabbed her without warning. The forensic report later revealed she suffered more than 20 stab wounds. After the attack, Elizeu stormed an office in the building, causing further destruction by smashing furniture, windows, and doors. He later turned himself in and was taken into custody. Police classified the case as femicide.

According to the Military Police, Elizeu confessed that he was angry because Taís did not respond to his advances. He also expressed frustration over being reassigned to a different work location by management. Authorities confirmed that there was no relationship between the victim and the suspect.

Taís Bruna de Castro had built a modest yet loyal following online. Her Instagram page, "Leitora Fashion," had nearly 8,000 followers who turned to her for book reviews and reading recommendations. Her passion for literature was evident in each post, reflecting her quiet dedication to sharing stories.

Now, the community she nurtured mourns a voice silenced too soon. Her death leaves a void both online and off, in the very place she lived and worked. In the days following the tragedy, Taís' family took to her Instagram page to share a message of gratitude and grief.

They thanked followers for their support and honored the woman behind "Leitora Fashion." "This week, our dear Taís Bruna, the owner of this account, left us in a very sad and almost unbelievable way," the post began.

They recalled how much joy the page brought her. Sharing book reviews. Recommending new reads. Engaging with fellow readers. It wasn't just content — it was her passion. "Leitora Fashion was one of her greatest joys," the post read. "Talking about literature, recommending new books, and chatting with you all here made her days happier."

The family described her as sweet and joyful, someone whose presence brightened every room. "Her smile, her sweetness, and all the joy she always spread will remain forever in our hearts."

Taís’ family has made it clear — they don't want her to be forgotten. And they don't want her to be just another statistic. In another post, they called on the public to join them in demanding change. "We cannot let her become just another case, just another number," they wrote.

The message struck a chord. Led by Taís' friends in the online literary community, a movement began to form and the hashtag #JusticeForTais quickly gained traction.

Readers, influencers, and everyday users began sharing her story, calling for accountability and legal reform. The post continued by urging followers not only to help preserve Taís’s memory but also to support the push for tougher laws against femicide, which the family described as an act of cowardice and extreme cruelty toward women.

The family went further, calling for harsher penalties—including life imprisonment and the death penalty—for those who commit such crimes. They appealed to the public to spread the message widely, hoping their voices would be heard across the country.

We previously reported that two people died following a fatal shooting on the Las Vegas Strip that police believe stemmed from an escalating online feud between two YouTube streamers. Authorities identified the victims as YouTuber Rodney Finley, known as Finny Da Legend, and his wife, Tanisha Finley.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Officers who were patrolling the area reportedly heard gunfire coming from the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard. Upon responding, they found both victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Medical personnel pronounced them dead at the scene.

Undersheriff Andrew Walsh told reporters that the suspect, 41-year-old Manuel Ruiz — known online as SinCity-MannyWise — turned himself in at a Henderson Police Department station.

He is expected to be booked into the Clark County Detention Center on two counts of open murder. Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident and that the suspect and victims had a prior conflict on social media platforms.

A review by 8 News Now Investigators of archived video revealed that the altercation between the YouTubers had spanned several months. They had repeatedly clashed online, engaging in arguments and trolling across multiple live streams.

Their interactions reportedly included discussions surrounding copyright infringement, though details regarding the dispute remain unclear.

Finley's YouTube stream, which remains online and has over 6,000 subscribers, included portions of a previous stream by Ruiz. In the recording, Finley and other participants criticized Ruiz, with one co-streamer stating, "He's the least informed Vegas person out there."

Another participant, identified as Kevin, addressed the copyright issue directly. "If anyone should be striked [sic] down, it should be Manny," he said. "That's who needs the copyright strikes. That's who needs the axe."

The beginning of the stream featured a parody clip of former President Donald Trump stating, "I want to say '[Expletive] Sin City Family and [Expletive] Manny," referring to a group of associated online personalities.

By Monday morning, Ruiz's streams appeared to have been taken down from the internet.

Footage of the incident soon surfaced online, capturing the graphic moment the shooting occurred. The video, allegedly showing Ruiz opening fire on Finley and his wife, has circulated widely, shocking viewers and members of the online community.

News 3 Las Vegas also spoke with people who were near the scene when the shooting happened. One witness recalled that those nearby initially thought someone may have fainted, but the arrival of police vehicles raised immediate concern.

Another person said they heard numerous sirens and saw officers blocking off the Strip, signaling that something serious was unfolding.

The media outlet interviewed a neighbor of the suspect, Erin Marie Estes, who revealed that police had come to the neighborhood searching for Ruiz but were unable to locate him at the time.

Estes described her reaction, saying she was "completely shocked" because Ruiz and his family had been good neighbors. She expressed disbelief that he could be involved in such an act.

The shooting has left many in the Las Vegas community stunned. According to other YouTubers, Ruiz had reportedly expressed frustration that Finley was encroaching on his online streaming presence.

A fan told News 3 Las Vegas, "[Ruiz] is, you know, demanding that you can't go here, you can't do that. And a lot of people did not like that so he began losing his streamers."

In a previous stream, Ruiz recorded himself while driving a car, allegedly searching for Finley and his wife. "I went through every [expletive] casino there is. I heard there is one of my biggest fans here in town. I was dying to see him," said Ruiz.

"You come to my city and think I'm not going to show up? I should have been the first one to be told. Right? Somebody should have sent me my invite. We're outside. We doing fuel bar [sic]," he quipped before ending the video.

Finley and his wife were said to be in Nevada for his birthday. Their children told 12 News that the couple shared a deep bond. "They were literally soulmates," expressed their daughter, Rakia.

They described their mother as someone who always put her family first. "She was loving. She was caring. She was always there for us," mentioned their son, Rodney. He also remembered his father as "the funny guy that everyone loved," noting that he made an impact wherever he went.

The Finleys frequently traveled to Las Vegas and documented their experiences on YouTube, calling the city a second home.

As per authorities, Ruiz was charged during a court appearance on Tuesday, June 10. According to a post on X by news reporter Andrew Nomura, Ruiz's next court appearance is scheduled for June 12.

At a news briefing near the scene, LVMPD stated that no arrests had been made at that time, though Ruiz turned himself in shortly after.

Dr. Sid Khurana, a psychiatrist based in Nevada, spoke about the possible mental state behind such actions, explaining, "When a lot of people's life gets involved or submerged, their identity gets formed around what they are doing in an online way."

Though the case has garnered national attention, law enforcement noted that crime rates on the Strip have decreased overall. Nevada's open carry laws, which permit firearms on sidewalks, including those along the Strip, have come under renewed scrutiny. The investigation remains ongoing.