Claudia Heckler, 40, accused of murdering her husband Waldemir Heckler, 52, and freezing the body in a freezer in the interior of Lacerdopolis, in the Midwest of Santa Catarina, was released under habeas corpus. The crime happened in November 2022.

Claudia left the Chapeco Women’s Prison this Thursday (17). – Photo: Alencar and Martinazzo Advogados/Disclosure/ND

She left the Chapeco Regional Women’s Prison, where she had been imprisoned since the end of November 2022, on Thursday (17). The defense recorded the moment of Claudia’s release and a meeting with her daughter, with whom she could not previously contact due to her husband’s prohibitions, according to the defense. (See video below).

The TJSC (Court of Santa Catarina) said in a note that the 1st Criminal Division heard the habeas corpus case filed by the defendant’s defense.

“The judges unanimously decided to replace pre-trial detention with various measures of restraint, consisting of: appearance at all acts of the criminal case, monthly appearance in court to justify their activities and the use of electronic surveillance (anklet), in addition to other measures that the court of origin considers necessary” , — reported in TZA.

According to Claudia’s lawyer, Marco Antonio Vasconcelos Alencar Junior, the defense based the habeas corpus request on the fact that the woman did not abscond; for being a victim of domestic violence; release does not jeopardize public order; her freedom does not interfere with the process, since all the witnesses have already been heard, in addition, there is no evidence that she actually managed to kill her husband.

“She admitted that she acted with intent to kill, but there is no evidence that she actually achieved this. That is, he could die a natural death, for example, ”Alencar notes.

The lawyer explains that Claudia can now wait for the judge to decide whether she will stand trial or be acquitted of the charges based on the defense and prosecution’s allegations. There is no time limit for a court decision.

While waiting, Claudia will stay in Joasaba with her family. “During this period, he will have to comply with some court orders, such as being present at all acts of the process, visiting the Forum once a month, and for 90 days he will not be able to leave the city or visit the crime scene. murder,” the lawyer added.

The defense also claims they have evidence, including conversations between friends that show their concern about the repeated abuse Claudia is subjected to. The material was submitted by the defense to the court.

Claudia left the Chapeco Women’s Prison this Thursday (17). – Video: Alencar and Martinazzo Advogados/Disclosure/ND

Remember the crime: death and the body in the freezer

Valdemir’s body was found on the night of November 19, 2022. He has been missing since the 14th, when he did not show up for work. The search began on the 15th in the vicinity of the place where he was supposed to disappear. The search involved military police, firefighters, residents and volunteers.

Waldemir Heckler was found dead in the freezer of the house where he lived. – Photo: Personal archive/Playback/ND

On November 18, the victim’s wife applied to the civilian police department with a statement. According to the civilian police delegate in charge of the investigation, Gilmar Bonamigo, some gaps were left open, with no plausible answers.

“In her statement, Vladimir’s wife agreed and authorized an examination in her house on the night of the 19th, but a few hours before the examination arrived at the police, it became known that the victim’s wife had fled. Some residents reported that the house was locked like never before,” the police chief said.

Faced with the facts, the police began to believe that the body might have been hidden in the house itself. After the search began, he was found frozen inside the freezer.

Recognition and psychological pressure

In an interview with the YouTube channel of screenwriter Roberto Ribeiro, former host of the Criminal Investigation Program, the woman confessed to the crime and gave details of how she killed her husband, as well as the life of the couple. She said that she experienced constant psychological pressure in marriage.

Claudia stated that she decided to end her partner’s life because she could no longer tolerate the attacks, harassment and humiliation from this man.

“He wouldn’t let me do anything, I just didn’t have a life of my own. I couldn’t go anywhere with my friends. I was going to the salon to get my hair done and I had to leave with wet hair because he was pestering me for taking so long. I had to fight against time, my life was always under pressure,” said Claudia.

However, according to the woman, Valdemir demanded that she send in photos and make a video call to confirm where she was when she had night-time work meetings. “I couldn’t prepare for these cases because I wouldn’t prepare for another (sic).”

Claudia confessed that she had killed her husband in Lacerdopolis; the body was found in the freezer – Photo: Reproduction / ND

The delegate, on the other hand, believes that the one-hour interview given by Claudia to writer and screenwriter Beto Ribeiro was intended to excite the population. “This situation was created in order to cause a public outcry,” said the delegate investigating the case in an interview with Rádio Catarinense.

Claudia reported to the police on the afternoon of November 21, the day after the interrogation. During her testimony at the police station, the woman, according to the police chief, did not show any remorse and was calm about the arrest, wanting to serve her sentence, because after this period of detention there would be no one who could be dangerous.

This information was also revealed by Claudia in an interview with writer Beto Ribeiro. “I will fall into the trap, but I am light. I had to make this decision because I saw that it was him or me. He will never leave me alone.”

Accused of three crimes

The MPSC (Ministry of State of Santa Catarina) condemned the woman for her husband’s death. The public prosecutor’s office of Comarca de Capinsal wants the accused to be presented to the people’s jury for double-qualified murder (suffocation and use of a resource due to which the victim could not defend himself), concealing a corpse and ideological lying.

According to the complaint, Claudia drugged her husband with conventional drugs to make him sleep. He then tied his feet, legs and arms until he was immobilized. Finally, the woman put a plastic bag over the victim’s head and squeezed it with pieces of rubber to prevent the passage of air, which led to his death. After that, the body was placed in a freezer.

“She acted with extraordinary cruelty and in remarkable contrast with the most elementary feeling of pity, subjecting the victim to excessive and unnecessary suffering, and all this in the absolute absence of any humane feeling,” the complaint says.