Carlos Alexandre Pereira Maria, a community activist in Taquara in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was found dead in a car riddled with bullets on Sunday night, according to a report by The Rio Times in Brazil. 

According to The Times, 37-year-old Maria worked as a volunteer community advisor for Brazilian councilmember Marcello Siciliano. Police have yet to confirm whether Maria's murder is linked to the assassination of activist and councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver Anderson Pedro Gomes last month. The Rio Times reports that Siciliano reportedly recently spoke to authorities about the Franco investigation. 

Many have taken to the streets in Rio de Janeiro to protest the murder of Franco, a 38-year-old outspoken black human rights activist who was a prominent leader in the fight against police violence in Brazil and for the equality and empowerment of black women. 

BrazilMarielle Franco