The body of a well-loved Brazilian influencer was discovered wrapped in red cloth, outside of her parents home in Rio Grande do Sul this weekend.
Debora 'Debby' Michels was only 30 years old when she was killed and left on the sidewalk on Friday (26 January) - just a handful of metres away from the house in which her mother and father lived.
CCTV later recovered from the scene determined that the fitness guru and social media star had been killed and subsequently abandoned.
The security footage authorities assessed after discovering Michels' body saw her husband of 10 years, Alex, allegedly taking his dead wife out of the back of his car, placing her on the pavement, and fleeing in his vehicle.
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It was only upon his arrest that he allegedly confessed to the crime, according to police, shedding light on what had occurred between them on the lead up to her death.
The fellow bodybuilder claimed the couple had become embroiled in a heated altercation, during which he lifted his wife off the ground by her neck and threw her into a nearby wardrobe with such force that it knocked her unconscious.
According to police, Alex went on to allege that he'd placed Michels' body in the back of his car with the aim of taking her to the hospital to receive treatment.
While moving her, however, he discovered that his wife had already died, police told local media.
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Allegedly insisting he was in a state of panic, he recalled driving immediately to her parents' house and dumping her body outside.
Her body was subsequently discovered under a blanket, after which her family revealed that Michels was actually planning on leaving her husband before her death.
The suspect has been remanded in custody by police, whose request for an extension of the detention period was granted.
Her brother told press: "This situation is revolting. What our family wants is justice. You cannot leave anyone unpunished."
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Describing his sister, he went on: "Débora was a person very loved by everyone here in the community. Friends, family, everyone loved her."
A police spokesperson also told local publication GZH of the crime at the weekend: "He simply dumped this victim’s body in front of [her] parents’ residence. Not only did he discard the cellphone, but also the victim’s body.
"It’s important for us to tell women not to remain silent, to seek help. The only way to stop these male attackers is for the authorities to do something, because they will never stop."
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Michels' father Deise Chemelo said: "We were a happy family. Now he’s destroyed everything.
"We have always done the most for our daughter. Let’s try to save her beautiful image. But it was incredibly evil. An atrocity.
"I only ask that justice be done, for the love of God. It’s such a huge pain. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through that."
The police investigation continues.
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UNILAD has reached out to Brazil Police for further comment.
Topics: Crime, True crime, World News, US News