Arrested for the death of elderly people in MG, she had a debt of R$40,000 for gambling
The 30-year-old woman suspected of killing an elderly couple at their home in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, confessed that she incurred a debt of R$40,000 with loan sharks due to her addiction to internet gambling.
To the police, the suspect said that she worked hard and managed to pay off the loan, and that this would not have been the motivation for the crime against the couple.
The woman, who had been missing since the day of the crime, was arrested in the early hours of this Thursday (2), in Itabira, around 107 km from the capital of Minas Gerais. She was identified as Paola and worked at the home of the elderly found dead on Tuesday (30).
The suspect confessed that, in addition to the murder, she stole watches, cell phones, jewelry and money from the victims, the lawyer Cláudio Atala Inácio, 75 years old, and his wife, businesswoman Maria Clotilde Moreira Maciel Atala.
The case is being investigated by the Civil Police of Minas Gerais (PCMG), through the State Department for the Investigation of Crimes Against Property (Depatri), such as robbery, when there is a robbery followed by death, but no new accusations have been ruled out.
Understand the case
Felipe, the couple's son, went to his parents' house on Tuesday (30), after being unable to contact them for more than 24 hours. When he arrived at the apartment, located in the São Pedro neighborhood, he found the victims lifeless.
After calling the PMMG (Military Police of Minas Gerais), it was discovered that Cláudio was on the bed in the couple's bedroom, while Maria Clotilde was found in the living room, lying on the floor in front of the sofa.
According to the expert report, the lawyer received more than 40 stab wounds to the back, stomach and neck, while the woman had 15 knife wounds to her throat, chin, chest, neck and pelvis. Initially, 17 stab wounds were recorded for each victim.
The couple's bodies were sent to the IML (Legal Medical Institute), where they were subjected to examinations and, soon after, released to their families.
Crime dynamics
On the day of the crime, Monday (29), Paola was caught by security cameras entering the building at 7:30 am and leaving around 3:30 pm.
In the image taken as she left the building, she had changed her clothes, carrying her original bag and two new additional large bags, which were not with her in the morning.
There is still no confirmation that the woman acted alone in the crime. She was seen getting into a car after leaving the building, which could be a vehicle driven by a second person involved, or just by an app driver driven by her.
At Paola's residence, the police found a woman who identified herself as the suspect's aunt.
According to the relative, on the day of the crime, Paola arrived home around 7pm, accompanied by her son and carrying a black backpack that she claimed to have received.
The suspect even collected her belongings and those of her son, telling her aunt that she would travel to Espírito Santo or stay in a hotel, and then disappeared.
What motivated Paola?
The suspect told the police that she had a psychotic break and that she heard voices instructing her to kill the couple.
When questioned by police authorities about not feeling satisfied with stealing the victims' belongings, Paola stated that she felt the need to kill the couple.
According to police chief Gustavo Baleta, Paola said she was sorry and confessed to having destroyed her own life and that of other people.
Tribute
The OAB-MG (Brazilian Bar Association - Minas Gerais Section) expressed deep regret over the case and offered solidarity to Cláudio's family.
In addition, he informed that Gustavo Chalfun, president of OAB-MG, determined the creation of a special commission to act as an assistant to the prosecution in the criminal process, monitoring the case and seeking to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Check out the full note from OAB-MG below:
"The Brazilian Bar Association - Minas Gerais Section (OAB-MG) expresses deep regret at the death of lawyer Cláudio Atala, victim of a tragic episode that causes consternation to Minas Gerais law and society as a whole.
In this moment of pain, OAB-MG sympathizes with family, friends and professional colleagues, wishing them strength and serenity to face this irreparable loss.
The OAB-MG reaffirms its confidence in the actions of the competent authorities to rigorously investigate the facts, with due accountability for those involved, in accordance with the law.
As in other cases of violence against lawyers, the president of OAB-MG, Gustavo Chalfun, determined the creation of a special commission to act as an assistant to the prosecution in the criminal process, monitoring the case and seeking to hold the perpetrators accountable.
"The murder of a lawyer is an attack not only against life, but also against the free practice of law and the Democratic Rule of Law. The OAB-MG will follow this case with absolute rigor, demanding the complete elucidation of the facts and exemplary punishment of those responsible. To the family, friends and colleagues of lawyer Cláudio Atala, I express my solidarity and my most sincere condolences", stated the president of OAB-MG, Gustavo Chalfun.
The Minas Gerais legal profession pays tribute to the memory of Cláudio Atala and expresses its most sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this time of deep sadness."
(With information from Itatiaia)
*Under the supervision of Carolina Figueiredo
Source: CNN