The aunt and uncle of a footballer killed after crashing into a cow on his motorbike could face manslaughter charges after being identified as the owners of the animal.
Horror CCTV footage showed Antony Ylano, 20, being thrown to the ground in the freak early-hours incident while returning home from a birthday party. Five animals were crossing the road when promising striker Ylano, an U20 player for Piaui Esporte Clube, smashed into the last one in the herd.
His club, which competed twice in Brazil’s top-flight Serie A league in 1979 and 1986, released a tribute in the aftermath of the tragedy, stating players and staff were experiencing “a moment of deep pain”. The incident, on the BR343 road in the municipality of Altos, near Teresina in the north-east Brazilian state of Piaui, happened at around 3.30am on Monday, October 20.
Now police in Brazil have confirmed Ylano’s aunt and uncle were the owners of the animals. And they have said their investigation pointed to negligence in failing to keep them off the road.
Speaking overnight, Altos police chief Andre Moreno said the cows had escaped days beforehand from their enclosure. He said: “There was a need to reinforce the fence and take more effective measures to prevent the cows from escaping.
(Image: NX)
“The animals escaped again on the day of the tragedy, and it was therefore foreseeable that the owners’ negligence could cause an accident.”
He said Ylano’s relatives would be spared pre-trial custody while the case against them continues and hinted they could receive a judicial pardon because of their family links to the footballer, but said it would be up to the courts and prosecutors to decide.
Chief Moreno also revealed the victim wasn’t wearing a crash helmet and didn’t have a driving licence. Speaking to local press, he said: “Animal owners should take greater care when keeping them and motorcyclists should wear helmets and only drive if they have a driving licence, to prevent further accidents.”
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The footballer’s relatives have not been named. Public prosecutors are now understood to be studying the police report before deciding whether to formally indict them.
Reports at the time of the accident said Ylano was heading back home from his dad’s birthday celebrations when the fatal crash happened, around a 40-minute drive east of Teresina, where his club’s home stadium is.
Ylano, who had played for Altos and Fluminense-PI, was part of the teams that won the Piaui State Championship in 2024 and 2025. And, as a native of Altos, he was considered as one of the regions brightest talents.
In a statement confirming his death hours after the tragedy, his club wrote: “Club Deportivo Piaui is experiencing a moment of deep pain with the loss of striker Antony Ylano, who was the victim of an accident.
(Image: NX)
“Ylano has been wearing the colors of Piauizão Vibrante since 2024, the year in which he won the Piauiense Under-20 Championship, played in the 2025 São Paulo Junior Football Cup and the Under-20 Northeast Cup.
“In another challenge for the club, the athlete was preparing to travel with the team that competed in the Copa Brasil Sub-20.”
Altos said it received the news of his death “with deep regret” and described him as a talented player who began his professional career with the club. Fluminense-PI expressed “deep sadness” and extended condolences to all who knew the player.
His wake was held in Serra do Cedro, Altos, on October 20.