Brazil police arrest man after mother and son found dead

Police in Cotia, near Sao Paulo, have arrested 41-year-old businessman Eric Conrado Alves de Almeida following the deaths of 29-year-old lawyer Anna Gabriela Faria Lima and her 6-year-old son, Raphael.

The victims were discovered in their apartment on the evening of November 3, lying together in a bed. Authorities suspect the cause of death may be asphyxiation. Security footage shows de Almeida entering the residential complex with the victims on Sunday night and leaving alone in the early hours of Monday morning. Investigators noted that no other individuals entered or exited the premises during that timeframe.

Preliminary investigations are treating the case as a potential femicide and vicarcide, where a child is killed to cause suffering to the mother. Witnesses and family members reported a history of tension between the former partners, including allegations of stalking, death threats, and controlling behavior. De Almeida has been placed in temporary detention for 30 days as the investigation continues.