Lawyer Ana Paula Rocha fatally shot in Governador Valadares, Brazil

Ana Paula Rocha de Jesus, a 45‑year‑old criminal lawyer and women's‑rights advocate, was shot dead in a downtown parking lot in Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, on Tuesday afternoon. The shooter was her ex‑partner, who killed himself at the scene, leading police to treat the episode as a femicide followed by suicide. Rocha had previously obtained a protective order against the man amid reports of threats.

The killing sparked nationwide mourning and condemnation. Women's organisations, including Grupo Mulheres do Brasil, issued statements demanding stronger protection for victims of domestic violence. Police opened an investigation, collected forensic evidence, and continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the murder.