Brazil mourns Caio Álex as respected journalist dies aged 52

Caio Álex, a well-known Brazilian journalist and former presenter of SBT Rio, has died at the age of 52. InterTV, the Globo-affiliated station where he had worked most recently, confirmed his death on Tuesday, 30 December. Álex had been admitted to Santa Izabel Hospital in Cabo Frio after suffering a stroke.

Death of Caio Álex and the immediate response

InterTV announced his passing on its social channels, expressing sorrow at the loss. The station said Álex’s “talent, dedication and passion for journalism” had left a lasting mark and conveyed condolences to his family and friends. Colleagues and viewers took to social media to remember his career and the contributions he made to regional journalism.

Hospital sources confirmed that Álex had been treated for complications following the stroke but did not provide further medical details. The broadcaster has not disclosed additional information about private family arrangements.

Career and milestones

Álex had more than three decades of experience in Brazilian media. His career included roles at Rádio Tupi, CNT and Band. He spent eight years at SBT, where he became a familiar face in Rio de Janeiro before leaving the network in 2024 and joining InterTV in Cabo Frio.

One of the defining moments of his career came in 2019 when, on Black Awareness Day (Consciência Negra), he became the first Black journalist to present the SBT Rio newscast. He subsequently stepped in as an interim presenter for other editions of the programme, standing in for Isabele Benito on occasion.

Legacy and impact

Peers described Álex as a committed professional who championed local reporting and brought attention to community issues across the region. His rise to prominence at major national outlets and his role as a visible Black presenter on a leading Rio newscast were noted by colleagues as significant for representation in Brazilian media.

InterTV’s public message emphasised the void his passing leaves at the station and in the newsroom. Viewers and fellow journalists alike highlighted his calm on-screen presence and his ability to cover stories with clarity and empathy.

As the news of his death circulates, regional media outlets are expected to carry tributes and retrospectives on Álex’s work. For many, he will be remembered both for his professionalism and for the barriers he helped to break in broadcasting.

InterTV said it would share information about memorial arrangements when available. For now, the focus remains on honouring a journalist whose three decades in the profession left a clear imprint on those who worked with him and on the audiences he served.