The 24-year-old woman was found buried in the hinterland of Tangara, in the Midwest of Santa Catarina. The civilian police found the body of a young woman on Monday (29), she had been missing since May 22, a week before.

The body of a young woman was found buried in the municipality on Monday (29), two suspects were arrested. – Photo: Civil Police/Internet/Reproduction/ND

The victim was identified as Vanessa Martins, a native of the municipality of Pinheiro Preto. She was the girlfriend of one of the suspects and a friend of the other. The disappearance was recorded by family members of the deceased on Monday (29).

Two men were arrested for hiding the body and confessed to the crime. According to the delegate in charge of the case, André Cembranelli, the duo were discovered and admitted to having killed Vanessa by strangling her with a rope.

“They killed her in the car on Monday (22), left her sitting in the seat, and then put her body in the trunk. The victim was buried only the next day.” The body of a young woman was buried on the Colonia Müller line, about 10 km from where she lived.

Police found the body of a young woman

The delegate said the suspects would have tried to burn the body to disrupt the search. “They used an excavator to bury her, they were very cruel, very cold,” Cembranelli commented.

The case is still being investigated by the civilian police to establish the motive for the crime and the circumstances of the death. None of the defendants in the case had police records.

The disappearance was recorded by the family of the deceased only this Monday (29). – Photo: Civil Police//Reproduction/ND

Leading region in femicides

The western region of Santa Catarina leads the state ranking of feminicides. This has been three years in a row, according to data from 2020 to 2022 from the SSP/SC (Santa Catarina Secretary of State for Public Safety).

Through December 14, 2022, the area had 19 of the 54 feminicides reported in the state for the year, accounting for 35% of deaths attributed to domestic violence or disrespect for women.

How to report

If there is a suspicion of a violation of the rights of a woman, the victim or the applicant should contact the nearest specialized police department. Complaints can be filed by calling 180, 190, or 197. The call is free and the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.