Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Godofredo “Pepey” Castro has died by suicide in police custody at the Broward Sheriff’s Office main jail in Fort Lauderdale. He was 38 years old.
The mixed martial arts (MMA) athlete was arrested in June on charges of domestic violence after a vicious attack on his wife. He was found unresponsive in his cell during routine checks by deputies at 8 p.m.
According to MMA Junkie, a department spokesperson said Castro was found with a sheet around his neck.
Emergency services were called and the former fighter was taken to Broward Medical Health Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
The official cause of death has not been revealed yet. However, the Brazilian born fighter’s former teammate, Rony Mariano Bezerra, shared an emotional note about Castro’s alleged suicide.
Rony said that this incident serves as a reminder that fighters can be tough physically, but if their mind is unstable, they can end up committing an act like this.
He added, “Unfortunately, Castro couldn’t handle pressure and took his own life.”
The New York Post reports Castro was arrested on June 30, after allegedly assaulting his wife over a jealousy dispute.
The ex-fighter was charged with witness tampering, battery, domestic violence by strangulation and kidnapping.
Castro, who competed in 11 bouts for UFC, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and his case was ongoing.
