Brazilian Navy officer found dead in São Paulo quarters

Beatriz Fickert Santoro, a 33-year-old second lieutenant and mechanical engineer for the Brazilian Navy, was found dead in her quarters at the Navy Technological Center located within the University of São Paulo (USP) campus on Thursday.

According to police reports, Santoro was transported to the USP University Hospital already deceased by Navy physician and corvette captain Priscila Valente Fernandes. The hospital staff refused to issue a death certificate because the victim arrived without signs of life. This refusal prompted the Military Police to be called around 9:00 PM.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death and potential procedural fraud. Police noted that the body was removed from the scene before forensic experts could conduct procedures, which may have altered the crime scene. The case has been registered as a suspicious death. The investigation will be conducted by the Federal Police and the Brazilian Navy.