Former UFC fighter Godofredo “Pepey” Castro, 38, was found dead in a Florida jail, in what appears to be a suicide. Castro was discovered unresponsive during a routine check by deputies at the Broward Sheriff’s Office main jail in Fort Lauderdale. He was found with a sheet around his neck, according to a department spokesperson.
Emergency services were immediately called to the scene. Castro was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The official cause of death is yet to be determined, but foul play is not suspected.
Rony Mariano Bezerra, a former teammate of Castro’s from “TUF Brazil,” was among the first to share the news of Castro’s death on social media. Bezerra expressed his sorrow, noting the mental health struggles that fighters can face. He urged others to take this as a lesson, emphasizing the importance of mental stability in addition to physical strength.
Castro had been in custody since June 30, following his arrest in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He faced multiple charges, including kidnapping, domestic violence by strangulation, witness tampering, and battery. These charges stemmed from an alleged domestic violence incident involving his wife, which reportedly began over a jealousy dispute.
According to the police report, Castro’s wife claimed he had dragged her back into their home by her hair and choked her until she lost consciousness three times. She also alleged that he threw her to the ground and repeatedly smashed her head into the ground. Police noted visible injuries to her face and neck.
Castro had pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the case was still ongoing at the time of his death. Gaudenio Santiago, the attorney representing Castro’s wife, called for respect for the family and urged against speculation, stating that a death in custody is a serious matter.
Born in Brazil, Castro had a notable career in UFC, competing 11 times after his appearance on “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, Season 1.” He held a record of 5-6 in UFC and 13-7 overall as a professional fighter. His last professional fight took place in February 2022.