Teenager Camila Cristina de Lima, 15, was brutally murdered at her home in Sao Francisco do Sul, on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, on October 30. Eleven days after the crime, civilian police have already found the main suspect and are searching for him.

The incident occurred in São Francisco do Sul; teenager died in beheading – Photo: Civil Police/Disclosure and personal archive

According to police chief Fabio Estuka, the victim’s father-in-law “treated the 49-year-old man, recognized as the perpetrator of the crime,” “like a brother.” The suspect’s coolness after the crime is impressive: he personally supervised the work of the Civil Police and the Scientific Police after the discovery of the young woman’s body.

“He often visited the family home and on the day of his death he was there supervising police work. He killed the girl, left, and then when the police arrived, he returned to the house,” explained Police Chief Fabio Estuqui.

Surveillance camera images helped identify the suspect. “He and the victim’s family were in the house that day. He said he left home shortly after the last family member left, and we confirmed with the cameras that he left an hour later, meaning he was already lying then.”

In his testimony, when he was questioned as a witness, the man also stated that at the time of the crime he went to a store in São Francisco do Sul, but the suspect’s version was not confirmed.

Man found teenager’s grandmother after crime

The coldness with which the man acted after the crime did not stop at returning home to supervise the work of the police. He reportedly found the victim’s grandmother and brother-in-law on a nearby street when he left the house after killing the teenager.

According to the delegate, the suspect’s goal was to steal money that the family kept in the house, about 15,000 reais, which would be used for dental treatment. The medical examiner indicated that the cause of death was a knife wound on the victim’s neck, but there were other marks on her body.

Police searching for teen’s killer

The report states that Camila had blow marks on her head as well as bruises on her knee, indicating she may have been dragged around the house. Forensics investigators also found signs that she tried to fight the suspect.

The suspect lived on the same street as his family and, after giving conflicting accounts during his testimony, left the house in which he lived and fled São Francisco do Sul.

A search and arrest warrant was issued and police are now searching for the man. The investigation reveals that the perpetrator of the possible robbery went to Joinville on the night of the crime to seek help from family members.

*With information from Felipe Bambas, NDTV Record reporter.