Brazilian Police Officer Gisele Santana's Mother Accuses Husband of Murder

Gisele Alves Santana, a 32‑year‑old São Paulo Military Police officer, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head on 18 February 2026 in the couple's apartment in the Brás district. Her husband, tenente‑coronel Geraldo Leite Rosa Neto, claimed she had committed suicide, a version the São Paulo Civil Police and the State Public Ministry say is false. Neto has been indicted for femicide and procedural fraud and has been in custody since March.

During a hearing on 1 July, Gisele’s mother, Marinalva Vieira Alves de Santana, testified that Neto "destroyed the family" and referred to him as a "verme". She described the trauma of Gisele’s 7‑year‑old daughter, who now lives with her maternal grandparents and experiences frequent crying spells and emotional triggers when reminded of her mother. The case continues to be examined in court, with prosecutors seeking further sanctions against the former officer.