[soprofaxel]

TV crime show host who ordered killings to boost ratings dies

A former Brazilian television crime show host and state legislator accused of orchestrating murders to boost ratings has died.

Published: 5:05PM BST



Wallace Souza died after having a heart attack. Photo: Photoshot

A spokeswoman for a hospital in Sao Paulo said that Wallace Souza died after having a heart attack.

Police say Souza orchestrated murders of rival drug traffickers in the Amazon city of Manaus. He was also accused of drug dealing.

Police alleged that Souza would direct crews from his crime show to the scene to obtain exclusive footage. Raquel Rojas, the hospital spokeswoman, says the 51-year-old suspect died on Tuesday afternoon. He was admitted to hospital on March 18.

She says Souza suffered from Budd Chiari syndrome. The rare disorder causes clots to form in blood vessels in the liver.