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Former UFC fighter Godofredo "Pepey" Castro has died at 38 after being found unresponsive in a Florida jail, authorities confirmed Monday.
According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, deputies conducting routine checks discovered Castro around 8 p.m. inside the main jail in Fort Lauderdale. Emergency responders transported him to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Officials said no foul play is suspected and that an investigation is ongoing.
Castro, who had been held since June on charges including kidnapping, domestic violence by strangulation, witness tampering, and battery, was awaiting trial at the time of his death. TMZ reported that the former featherweight was discovered with a sheet around his neck in what authorities described as an apparent suicide.
Brazilian MMA fighter Rony Mariano Bezerra, a close friend and former TUF Brazil teammate, shared the news on Instagram, writing: "Unfortunately, he couldn't handle the pressure and ended up taking his own life. Fighters can be strong physically, but if the mind is unstable, tragedy can follow."
Castro was arrested after allegedly attacking his wife, Samara Mello, in Deerfield Beach, Florida, following what police described as a "jealousy-fueled argument." Mello told investigators she was dragged by the hair, choked unconscious three times, and had her head slammed into the floor. Visible injuries were documented by officers, and Castro later pleaded not guilty.
Following his arrest, Mello publicly addressed domestic violence in the combat sports world, launching a GoFundMe to support survivors and calling attention to what she described as "a culture of silence."
Her attorney, Gaudenio Santiago, issued a statement Monday urging restraint: "The death of someone in custody is a serious matter. We ask for respect for the family and that people avoid speculation to prevent further suffering."
Born in Fortaleza, Brazil, Castro competed 11 times in the UFC between 2012 and 2018, earning a reputation for his flashy kicks and resilience inside the octagon. He last fought professionally in 2022, retiring with a record of 13 wins and 7 losses.
His death marks another grim chapter in MMA's ongoing struggle with mental health and violence outside the cage.
