Crime, assassinato, homicidio, tiros e Polícia – Foto: Ajax9/istockphoto.com
A 33-year-old Paraguayan woman was fatally stabbed by her 54-year-old partner inside their home in the Bela Vista district, Campos Novos, in Santa Catarina’s Midwest. The crime occurred on the afternoon of Friday, October 10, 2025, around 1:10 p.m., during an argument fueled by the suspect’s alcohol consumption. The couple’s 13-year-old daughter witnessed part of the attack upon returning from school and fled to a neighbor’s house, where she was found in shock.
The Military Police arrived minutes after residents’ cries for help and secured the area to preserve evidence. The assailant confessed to neighbors and tried to block assistance to the victim, threatening those nearby. Samu teams attempted to revive the woman, but she succumbed to severe chest and abdominal wounds.
The Local Guardianship Council was promptly notified by the daycare, which noted the girl’s absence and altered emotional state. Mental health professionals began supporting the teen, who reported seeing her father drinking and arguing with her mother. The victim had threatened to call the police, which preceded the attack.
- Suspect asked neighbors for help to go to a bank shortly before the crime.
- Weapon used was a common kitchen knife from the home.
- No prior reports of domestic violence recorded locally.
Sequence of events in rural district
The suspect left home in the morning for routine activities and returned by noon, per witness accounts. He consumed alcohol in the afternoon, escalating an ongoing argument with his partner. The woman, a long-term resident in Brazil, worked locally and cared for her daughter.
Neighbors heard initial conflict signs around 1 p.m. but intervened only after loud screams. A resident reported the man emerged armed, claiming he had “solved the issue.” Community intervention prevented further aggression, restraining the suspect until authorities arrived.
Initial forensics identified multiple stab wounds, consistent with momentary rage. The body was taken for autopsy in Joaçaba, and the suspect’s blood samples confirmed advanced intoxication.
Victim and suspect medical response
Samu arrived in seven minutes, finding the woman in severe hemorrhage on the living room floor. Stabilization attempts with wound compression failed due to the depth of the cuts. Local volunteers assisted with makeshift materials until medical support arrived.
The man, disarmed, collapsed and was taken to a hospital under police custody. Toxicological tests showed a blood alcohol level above 1.5 g/L, impairing motor coordination. He remains under observation and will be transferred to a police station after medical clearance.
Records show the couple lived in the district for five years, with a quiet routine among neighbors. No prior protective order requests appear in police systems.
Swift police action at the scene
The Military Police followed standard feminicide protocols, securing a 50-meter perimeter. Scientific Police collected fingerprints on the knife and footprints in the muddy soil from recent rain. Nearby road camera footage was requested for a precise timeline.
The lead investigator emphasized coordination with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for immediate indictment. The suspect has a record for dangerous driving but no history of family violence. Searches in adjacent homes ruled out additional weapons.
Witnesses were interviewed in real-time, focusing on timings and overheard dialogues. The operation lasted three hours, ensuring scene preservation for detailed forensic analysis.
Teen’s account and psychological support
The 13-year-old described the scene in an initial statement, noting the smell of alcohol and arguments over household finances. She fled to a neighbor’s yard, hiding for 20 minutes until located by the daycare. Guardianship Council teams moved her to temporary shelter with distant relatives.
Trauma-specialized psychologists began stabilization sessions on Friday evening. The teen shows no physical injuries but exhibits dissociation symptoms, common in eyewitnesses of violence. Weekly follow-ups were scheduled by the protection system.
The local school suspended classes for her friend group, holding talks on family safety. The victim’s family, contacted via the Paraguayan consulate, is providing logistical support.
Violence trends in rural SC
Santa Catarina’s Public Security Secretariat reports 42 feminicides in 2025 through September, with 15% in rural areas like the Midwest. Low-density regions face emergency response delays, averaging 12 minutes for police in remote districts.
Local awareness campaigns, like the extended August Lilac, reached 2,500 Campos Novos residents this year. The 180 hotline logged 1,200 domestic violence calls in October, up 20% from 2024. Preventive patrols in villages rose 30% after similar incidents.
Studies show alcohol is present in 65% of SC feminicide cases, peaking on weekends. Offender rehabilitation programs operate in 12 regional municipalities, with 40% adherence.
- 8% rise in rural complaints since 2023.
- 70% of rural victims have minor children.
- Average investigation time: 48 hours for arrests.
Protective measures and state support network
Santa Catarina expanded women’s reference centers in 2025, with Joaçaba’s unit handling 150 cases monthly. Urgent protective measures are issued within 24 hours via specialized stations, with electronic monitoring for offenders.
Guardianship councils in the Midwest processed 320 at-risk child cases this year, prioritizing violence witnesses. NGO partnerships provide temporary housing and free therapy. The 2015 federal law classifies feminicide, increasing penalties to 12–30 years in domestic contexts.
Rapid alert apps, like Panic Button, have 50,000 downloads in the state, integrating GPS for police. Quarterly rural community trainings focus on early abuse sign detection.
