The 63-year-old man named locally as Fernando Oliveira Vicente was found dead on Sunday morning in Sítio da Canada on the road between the city of Lagoa and the fisherman’s village of Carvoeiro.
The attack is thought to have taken place late on Saturday night in the field where he would usually put his herd of cows to pasture.
Fernando Vicente’s body was found by a passerby in a pool of blood after reportedly having his head brutally smashed with a piece of pipe that was found at the scene and collected by investigating PJ police for examination.
The grassy patch that had become stained with blood was still visible days after the attack as PJ detectives scoured the field.
Investigating authorities have said little about any developments that might have been made in locating the perpetrator or perpetrators.
A source from the PJ police told The Portugal News “an investigation is ongoing; no other details can be divulged.”
Some media reports have suggested robbery or a neighbourly dispute may be behind the crime.
Several detectives were spotted at the scene in the days following the murder, but declined to comment on the progress of the investigation.
Locals who live in the area have voiced their distress over how something so horrific could happen on their doorsteps, and fear the perpetrator may still be at large.
One neighbouring resident, who has lived in the area for several years and who had crossed paths with the murdered farmer on occasions, told The Portugal News: “I spoke to him a few times while out walking my dog. He was really friendly and we chatted about his cows and how he made a living from them. Seemed like a really friendly, easy-going chap. Always waved hello whenever I drove by.”
Another local added: “It’s frightening actually to think someone capable of doing that might still be roaming our streets. Really does make me uneasy.”