Companion of young woman found dead in Lajeado is arrested preventively

The companion, investigated for the death of Denise Medeiros, 21 years old, found dead with a gunshot to the head this Monday (6), in Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, was arrested preventively.

According to delegate Márcia Bernini, from the Police Station Specialized in Women's Assistance (Deam), the main line of investigation is feminicide committed by firearm shooting.

The young woman's boyfriend was missing, but was arrested this Monday (6). According to authorities, Denise had moved to another city "due to the end" of the relationship. The suspect showed signs of jealousy and possessive behavior, according to family reports, but the two still maintained contact.

Also according to the delegate, Denise was killed around 7:40 pm on Sunday (5), but was only found by her family at 4 am this Monday. The body was sent to the Legal Medical Institute (IML), where it will undergo forensic examination.

The case continues to be investigated by the Specialized Women's Assistance Police Station (Deam).

So far, witnesses have already been interviewed and other efforts continue to clarify the circumstances and motivations behind the crime.

With 107 cases, SP breaks record for feminicide records in 2026 | CNN NEW DAY

RS is one of the states with the highest number of femicides
Brazil recorded 399 victims of femicide between January and March 2026, according to data from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The number represents an average of four women killed per day in the period, the equivalent of one victim every five hours in the country.

The mark represents the first deadliest quarter in history since records began by the National Public Security Information System (Sinesp), in 2015.

Rio Grande do Sul is among the five states that recorded the highest number of femicides, with 24 occurrences, behind only São Paulo, which recorded 86 cases. Next come Minas Gerais (42), Paraná (33), Bahia (25), Pernambuco (22) and Rio de Janeiro (20).

*Under the supervision of Thiago Félix

Source: CNN