Luciana Novaes
OfficeCity Councilmember of the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro
Term start1 January 2017
Term end31 December 2020
Term start 22 February 2023
Term end 230 March 2026
Birth nameLuciana Gonçalves de Novaes
Birth dateJune 5, 1983
Birth placeNilópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Death dateApril 27, 2026 (aged 42)
Death placeRio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
PartyWorkers' Party (PT)
OccupationSocial worker
ProfessionPolitician
Websitehttps://luciananovaes.com.br/

Luciana Gonçalves de Novaes (June 5, 1983 – April 27, 2026) was a Brazilian social worker and politician affiliated with the Workers' Party (PT) who was elected three times as a city councillor in Rio de Janeiro;[1][2] she was known for her legislative work on behalf of people with disabilities (PWDs).[3][4]

Background

Born in Nilópolis in the Baixada Fluminense region of Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 19, while studying nursing at Estácio de Sá University, on the Rio Comprido campus in downtown Rio de Janeiro,  on May 5, 2003, she was struck in the face by a stray bullet during a break between classes[5]; the bullet hit her jaw and destroyed the third vertebra of her spine[6], leaving her tetraplegic[7][8] and dependent on mechanical ventilation.[9]

Doctors told the family that she had a 1% chance of survival[10] and that she would probably never leave hospital. She spent 21 months in hospital following the tragedy, 18 of which were in the intensive care unit (ICU). She underwent seven operations.[11] Estácio de Sá University was ordered by the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice to pay Luciana and her family compensation amounting to 600,000 reais.[12]

Novaes returned to school five years later, in 2008[13], and earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 2012.[14][15] She also completed a master’s degree in Public Administration.[16]

Her case was the subject of an episode of TV Globo’s true crime show Linha Direta, titled Above Suspicion, which explored the uncertainty surrounding who fired the shot that wounded her.[6]

Political career

Novaes began her political career whilst she was still in hospital, where she helped collect signatures from relatives of other victims of violence in order to press for changes to the Penal Code of Brazil.[11]

In 2012, Luciana Novaes stood as a candidate for city councillor for the Workers' Party (PT), receiving 8,284 votes[17][18], which were insufficient for her to be elected.[19] In 2014, she stood as a candidate for the state legislature, receiving 10,918 votes, once again insufficient for her election.[20] The following year, in 2013, she began working at the General Coordination Office for Human Rights, a department within the Municipal Secretariat for Social Development of the City of Rio de Janeiro.[15]

In 2016, she stood for election again as a city councillor, receiving 16,679 votes and being elected for the first time.[21] She was the city’s first councillor with paraplegia.[22] To enable her to carry out her duties, Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro had to carry out accessibility works, such as installing ramps to allow the new councillor and her wheelchair to access the building.[11] However, the reception area at the Pedro Ernesto Palace would only be adapted three years later.[23] During her first term, she helped draft 115 bills, of which 51 were passed.[16]

In the following election, in 2020, she stood for re-election, but was unsuccessful; she received 15,311 votes and was placed on the reserve list.[24] In 2022, she stood as a candidate for the federal Chamber of Deputies.[25] She was subjected to sexual harassment whilst campaigning in the city of Niterói.[26] She received 31,052 votes, which were insufficient for her to be elected. In 2024, she stood for election to the City Council again, receiving 11,994 votes and becoming the first substitute for the coalition comprising the PT, the Green Party (PV) and the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB).[27] When Councillor Tainá de Paula moved to the Municipal Department of the Environment, she was called upon to fill the vacancy.[28]

Luciana Novaes served as chair of the Chamber’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and was the author of several laws in this field, such as Law 8 781/2025, which establishes Rio’s Municipal Policy on Accessible Routes to facilitate travel for people with disabilities, those with reduced mobility, and the elderly.[29] Her work also extended to the state level, having contributed to a report used by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro in a Public Civil Action against SuperVia, with the aim of carrying out accessibility works at train stations in the metropolitan area.[30]

I entered politics because, unfortunately, people with disabilities aren’t very visible, and the lack of accessibility in the city is still a huge problem.

Personal life and death

Luciana was the youngest of four siblings, the daughter of a retired bus driver and a retired school cook from Nilópolis, a town in the Baixada Fluminense region.[11] Luciana lived in Recreio dos Bandeirantes with her mother and sister, a neighborhood in the western part of Rio.[18] She was a Botafogo FRfan.[31]

On 27 April 2026, Luciana Novaes died following a intracranial aneurysm,[32] having been admitted in December 2025 due to health complications.[33]

The Mayor of Rio, Eduardo Cavaliere (PSD), declared three days of official mourning.[34] Her death was mourned by the president of the Rio de Janeiro City Council, Councilman Carlo Caiado (PSD)[35], as well as politicians Marcelo Freixo (PT), Benedita da Silva (PT), Tarcísio Motta (PSOL), and Eduardo Paes (PSD), André Ceciliano (PT), Cesar Maia (PSD) and YouTuber Felipe Neto.[36][37]

Electoral performance

YearElectionOfficePartyVotes%ResultRef.
2012Rio de Janeiro municipalCity CouncillorPT8,2840.27%[38]
2014Rio de Janeiro stateState Deputy10,9180.14%[39]
2016Rio de Janeiro municipalCity Councillor16,6790.57%[40]
2020Rio de Janeiro municipal15,3110.58%(Took office on 2 February 2023)[41]
2022Rio de Janeiro stateState Deputy31,0520.36%[42]
2024Rio de Janeiro municipalCity Councillor11,9940.40%(Took office on 2 January 2025)[43]

References

  1. ^ "Quem foi Luciana Novaes, vereadora do Rio que teve morte cerebral confirmada" (in Brazilian Portuguese). CartaCapital. April 28, 2026. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  2. ^ Jaume, Ana & Bohnenberger, Pedro (April 28, 2026). "Morre a ex-vereadora Luciana Novaes" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Central Brasileira de Notícias. Archived April 28, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  3. ^ "Mandatos da Ver. Luciana Novaes". Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro. Archived April 28, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  4. ^ Clara, Ana (December 3, 2020). "Eleições 2020: 'Esse cenário de intolerância não é diferente comigo por ser mulher com deficiência, as agressões sempre acontecem', Luciana Novaes, vereadora carioca" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Workers' Party. Archived December 4, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  5. ^ Petry, Sabrina (May 6, 2003). "Violência: Aluna é baleada em universidade no Rio - 06/05/2003". Folha de S.Paulo. Archived November 17, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  6. ^ "Linha Direta - Casos - Rede Globo: Caso 2: Acima de Qualquer Suspeita". TV Globo. Archived January 4, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  7. ^ "Memória: Caso da aluna baleada continua sem solução". Folha de S. Paulo. February 11, 2004. Archived February 13, 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  8. ^ Barbosa, Camille (April 28, 2026). "Ex-vereadora que ficou tetraplégica após bala perdida morre no Rio" (in Brazilian Portuguese). CNN Brasil. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  9. ^ "Luciana Novaes" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro. Archived April 28, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  10. ^ Novaes, Luciana (October 21, 2020). "Luciana Novaes: Uma história de luta e superação" (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Dia. Archived October 31, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  11. ^ Nogueira, Ítalo (December 29, 2016). "Vítima de bala perdida assumirá cadeira na Câmara do Rio de Janeiro". Folha de S.Paulo. Archived December 29, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  12. ^ "Em 2003, estudante da Estácio foi vítima de bala perdida dentro da universidade" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Extra. May 3, 2007. Archived December 4, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  13. ^ Belchior, Luisa (September 3, 2008). "Folha de S.Paulo - Foco: Universitária que ficou tetraplégica vítima de bala perdida volta a estudar - 03/09/2008". Folha de S. Paulo. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  14. ^ "Luciana Novaes – Site da Vereadora do Rio de Janeiro" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Luciana Novaes. Archived February 10, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  15. ^ "UFRJ cria programas para que cegos e tetraplégicos usem o computador - Núcleo Regional Rio de Janeiro". Associação de Pais, Amigos e Pessoas com Deficiência, de Funcionários do Banco do Brasil e da Comunidade. May 7, 2013. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  16. ^ Rubim, Maíra (May 2, 2021). "'Tinha 1% de chance de viver', diz vítima de bala perdida aos 19 anos, que hoje defende direitos das pessoas com deficiência" (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Globo. Archived April 12, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  17. ^ Dias, Marcelo (October 7, 2012). "Tetraplégica após ser baleada na Estácio, Luciana Novaes se lança candidata a vereadora no Rio" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Extra. Archived July 5, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  18. ^ Martins, Felipe (June 22, 2012). "Vítima de bala perdida em faculdade concorre à Câmara do Rio" (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Eleições 2012. Universo Online. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
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  20. ^ "Resultado das Apurações dos votos do 2º turno das Eleições 2014 no RJ para Governador, Senador, Deputados Federais e Deputados Estaduais" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Universo Online. Archived April 19, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  21. ^ "Veja os 51 vereadores eleitos para a Câmara Municipal do Rio" (in Brazilian Portuguese). G1. October 2, 2016. Archived November 4, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  22. ^ Bachega, Hugo (March 9, 2017). "Stray bullets in Rio: The girl shot in the play area". BBC News. Archived February 9, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  23. ^ Seara, Berenice (June 25, 2019). "Câmara do Rio adapta recepção para oferecer acessibilidade" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Extra. Archived September 7, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  24. ^ "Resultado das Eleições e Apuração Rio de Janeiro-RJ no 2º Turno" (in Brazilian Portuguese). G1. Archived February 11, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  25. ^ "Eleições 2022: Luciana Novaes - PT | Ficha do candidato" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Folha de S.Paulo. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  26. ^ Souto, Luiza (September 28, 2022). "Candidata tetraplégica denuncia assédio em campanha no Rio: 'Impotência'". Universo Online. Archived October 14, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  27. ^ "Apuração das Eleições no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)" (in Brazilian Portuguese). G1. Archived February 11, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  28. ^ Seara, Berenice (January 2, 2025). "Câmara do Rio convoca os seis vereadores que vão assumir os postos dos novos secretários - Tempo Real" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Tempo Real RJ. Archived March 11, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  29. ^ "Morre Luciana Novaes, vereadora eleita após ser vítima de bala perdida" (in Brazilian Portuguese). G1. April 28, 2026. Archived April 28, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  30. ^ Direito, Luciana (June 11, 2019). "Ação Civil Pública com Pedido Liminar". Ministério Público do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Archived April 28, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  31. ^ Pontes, Fernanda (May 1, 2026). "Botafogo homenageia vereadora Luciana Novaes no Estádio Nilton Santos" (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Globo. Archived May 1, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  32. ^ "Morre Luciana Novaes, vereadora do PT que ficou tetraplégica com tiro de bala perdida" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Revista Fórum. April 28, 2026. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  33. ^ Luciano, Lucas (December 9, 2025). "Vereadora Luciana Novaes (PT) é internada na UTI de hospital no Rio - Tempo Real" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Tempo Real RJ. Archived January 13, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  34. ^ Patriolino, Luana (April 28, 2026). "Prefeito do Rio decreta luto após morte de ex-vereadora Luciana Novaes" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Metrópoles. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  35. ^ "Morre Luciana Novaes, vereadora eleita após ser vítima de bala perdida" (in Brazilian Portuguese). G1. April 28, 2026. Archived April 28, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  36. ^ Braz, Gabriella (April 28, 2026). "Famosos e autoridades lamentam a morte da vereadora Luciana Novaes". Correio Braziliense. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
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  43. ^ "Apuração e Resultado do 1º turno para Vereador em Rio de Janeiro/RJ nas Eleições 2024" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Tribuna do Paraná. Archived April 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2026.