Five murders of women in less than three months. The figures show violence against women in the Santa Catarina Northern Plateau, where five women were killed by current or former partners in 2023.

The bodies of Zenilda and Aldir were found by the victim’s son – Photo: Civil Police/Disclosure/ND

The latest victim was Zenilda Ribeiro Pape, found dead last Friday (aged 17), the day after her 44th birthday, in Monte Castelo, in another case being investigated as a feminicide.

Next to her, who had been shot in the face, lay the body of her then-partner Aldir Steidel, 52. He would have committed suicide after killing Zenilda.

According to delegate Lukas Neuhauser Magalhain, they dated for about a year and there was no record of the pair quarreling. However, there are indications that she ended the relationship minutes before the crime.

The bodies were discovered by one of Zenilda’s children at her home, next to a gun that belonged to Aldir. The report must also include the time of death, among other details needed for the investigation.

Northern Plateau records five murders of women in less than three months

In addition to Zenilda, four more women were victims of feminicide in 2023 on the Santa Catarina Northern Plateau. This year, this region has the largest number of cases of this type of crime in the state.

In addition to Zenilda, four more women became victims of femicide on the Northern Plateau – Photo: Internet / reproduction

The first femicide of the year took place on January 2 in São Bento do Sul. Lucimar de Goes Couto, 44, was stabbed by her former partner. The man fled, taking the couple’s daughter, and got into a traffic accident, after which he was arrested.

On the night of the same day, January 2, another woman was killed by her former partner, this time in Canoignas. Magali Oliveira, 40, was found dying by her mother in the house where she lived. She had neck injuries and could not resist the injuries. The man fled and committed suicide.

On January 21, another case was reported in Mafra. Lachi Aparecida Padilla Masti, 51, and her husband Luis Mastei, 58, were found dead in the family home. According to civilian police, the woman wanted the man to leave the house they lived in and were in other relationships.

On 4 March in Porto Uniao, Lusimara Cordeiro Schneider, 46, was found dead, shot inside a car. The suspect, her ex-boyfriend, was in the passenger seat holding a gun. He also received a head wound and died some time later.