A Brazilian judge renowned for her work against organized crime has been shot dead in Rio de Janeiro State

Patricia Acioli was gunned down outside her home in the city of Niteroi by masked men traveling on two motorbikes, officials said. She was best known for convicting members of vigilante gangs and corrupt police officers. The judge's family said that she had received several death threats, but had not had a police escort. The gunmen intercepted the mother-of-three's car as she was arriving at home in Niteroi, just across Guanabara Bay from Rio de Janeiro. They had fired at least 16 shots, killing the 47-year-old instantly, reports said. Rio has stepped up its campaign against violent crime ahead of hosting football's World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.