Brazil: Mother and 6-year-old son found dead in bed; ex-partner arrested, asphyxiation suspected

Brazilian police have arrested businessman Eric Conrado Alves de Almeida, 41, after his former partner, 29-year-old lawyer Anna Gabriela Faria Lima, and her son, Raphael, 6, were found dead. The tragedy has shocked Brazil, with initial suspicions pointing to asphyxiation as the cause of the mother and son’s deaths.

The bodies were discovered on the evening of November 3 in the apartment where they lived in Cotia, a city in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area. The mother and child were lying side by side in the double bed.

Authorities began investigating after relatives reported them missing. Family members had been unable to contact the 29-year-old and her son since Sunday.

A review of security camera footage showed that the businessman entered the residential complex with Anna Gabriela and Raphael at around 9:40 p.m. on Sunday. He was seen leaving alone at around 2:15 a.m. on Monday. Investigators say no one else was seen entering or leaving during that period.

Investigators believe the crime may have been committed during the five hours the 41-year-old spent in the apartment. They are also investigating whether the apartment was cleaned before he left.

According to the investigation, the couple’s relationship had been marked by conflict, threats, stalking and attempts at control. In their statements, relatives and acquaintances of the couple described previous incidents of violence and threats against Anna Gabriela.

Authorities are treating the case as femicide and the killing of a child with the intention of causing the mother suffering. This form of violence is known as vicarious homicide, or vicaricide.

The businessman has been ordered held in temporary detention for 30 days. Meanwhile, investigators are continuing their work to establish the full circumstances and motive behind the incident.