The northern plateau of Santa Catarina is the region that records the highest number of female death crimes statewide, with 15 victims. In the first three months of 2023, five women were killed by their former or current partners in the region, and the same number were reported in all of 2022.

Planalto Norte de SC recorded five murders of women in three months – Photo: Carlos Jr/ND

One of these victims is Lucimar de Goes Couto, who was stabbed to death on 2 January at the age of 44 by her former partner. Lucimar was a resident of São Bento do Sul. “A sweet, friendly man with a smile on his face,” describes Talita Rodriguez de Almeida, a friend of the victim.

“He was a cheerful person, he liked to communicate with everyone. She enchanted everyone wherever she went, she had many friends with whom she wanted to live, ”says a relative of Lusimara, who declined to give her name.

Lucimar broke up with her former partner after an abusive relationship with him. A friend from Santa Catarina says the woman always seemed happy, but she actually hid what she felt.

On several occasions, when Lucimar talked about her relationships with friends, her outbursts were disturbing. According to Talita, the victim reported that her ex-partner had assaulted her and that she was in an abusive relationship.

After parting, the man tried to prevent Lucimar from seeing his daughter. “She said:“ I miss my daughter so much that this man won’t even let her near him, ”recalls a friend.

Even on the day of the crime, he allegedly ran away and took the child with him. During the escape, the defendant crashed the car and left the couple’s daughter with her family. He later surrendered to the police.

According to Lucimar’s friend, the woman said she was attacked by her partner. MP Gil Ribas, who investigated the case, confirms that the defendant already had records of the violence and says he was even arrested at the scene of the crime for bodily harm. In April 2022, the woman also obtained a measure of protection against the suspect.

Relatives and friends were outraged after the violent death of Lucimar. “We saw happiness for what she was going through [após término]. Knowing that her life was taken by her ex who didn’t know how to take a termination that was rude and abusive. I was very sad,” Talita comments.