Supreme Court Justice Teori Zavascki dies in plane crash

Francisco Zavascki, one of the children of Supreme Court (STF) Justice Teori Zavascki, recently confirmed on Facebook that his father died. The justice was on the plane that crashed this afternoon (Jan. 19) in Paraty, on the coast of Rio de Janeiro. "Dear friends, we have just received confirmation that my father has died. Thank you for all the strength," his son wrote on social media.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Carmen Lúcia was in Belo Horizonte and is returning to Brasilia.

Operation Car Wash

Justice Teori Zavascki was overseeing the Operation Car Wash investigation. With his death, according to the Supreme Court bylaws, a new justice in charge of the case shall be appointed by President Michel Temer. In order to become a member of the Court, the substitute will attend a confirmation hearing at the Senate and its name has to be approved by the Senate floor.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta