Pedro Rodrigues Filho, or Pedrinho as he came to be called, was born on June 17 1954. He had a misshapen skull due to a deliberate kick his mother, Manuela, had received to her pregnant belly from her husband, Pedro Rodrigues Senior. Given the level of violence their father inflicted upon their mother, Pedrinho and his seven younger siblings were lucky to be born at all.

Pedro Senior worked hard for a meagre salary as a night security guard at a local school, and was considered an agreeable man until he drank alcohol, which brought out his violent temper. Manuela was a religious disciplinarian who was quick to punish her children and unafraid to administer beatings. Her eldest, Pedrinho, would often accompany her to church, but he never understood what the pastor was saying and would sometimes fall asleep, earning him a thrashing.

Pedrinho’s grandfather, Joaquim, whom Pedrinho described as “a simple gentleman,” became his mentor, teaching him skills he needed in order to survive, including how to swim, plant, harvest, hunt, and defend himself. Joaquim took Pedrinho to his job at the butchery and taught him how to carve up an ox carcass, which served Pedrinho well when he later started work at a chicken slaughterhouse. Joaquim coached Pedrinho to become a, quote: “worthy, correct, and just man.” He grew into a tough teenager, and although he was smaller than most boys his age, he was determined and fearless.

Pedrinho’s most defining characteristic was his deep resentment of injustice.