Brazil: 24-Year-Old Rescued After 5 Days in Captivity, Found Chained in Basement; Ex-Partner Arrested

A 24-year-old woman was rescued after five days of horror, after her former partner had kept her locked in a basement, chained to a bed and with her mouth covered to prevent her voice from being heard outside.

The Brazilian Military Police found the woman in the city of Águas Lindas de Goias, five days after she was taken hostage.

Her family had reported her missing on Monday, August 17, prompting authorities to immediately launch an investigation.

During the checks, the main suspicions focused on the 24-year-old’s former partner. After gathering information, officers placed him under surveillance and noticed changes in his behaviour and routine.

The trail led officers to a rented home in a neighbourhood, which was enclosed and secured from the outside. After hearing noises coming from inside, police decided to intervene and found the victim chained to a bed in one of the rooms.

“In one of the rooms, the victim was found isolated, with her upper and lower limbs and neck tied with ropes, handcuffs and chains. She was also having difficulty breathing and showed signs of oxygen deprivation,” the Military Police said.

According to authorities, the 24-year-old was wearing a gas mask, which was used to prevent neighbours from hearing her cries. Police said she was repeatedly raped during the five days and that there was enough food and water in the home, indicating that the suspect had planned to keep her imprisoned for several more days.

Officers gave her first aid and called firefighters, who removed the chains from her body. The woman was then taken to hospital, where she remains admitted, but her condition is stable.

A 9 mm firearm was found and seized at the scene. Her former partner was spotted driving a vehicle, but he failed to comply with an order to stop and sped away. After a chase, police managed to arrest him. He is in pre-trial detention and faces charges of kidnapping, rape and unlawful confinement.