Woman arrested for fatal arson in Dourados bar bathroom kills homeless man

Police in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil arrested a 36‑year‑old woman on Friday after security cameras captured her lighting a plastic bag inside a bar bathroom. The fire spread, killing a homeless man who had been sleeping there; he was found carbonized on a toilet seat.

Investigators said the woman used a lighter to illuminate the space while searching for crack stones, unaware that the victim was present. She initially denied involvement but later confessed during interrogation, stating she did not intend to cause the blaze. The suspect was located near a forested area close to the establishment and was taken into custody on charges of qualified homicide by fire.

The incident occurred in the early hours of May 22, 2026, at a commercial venue on the corner of Alpes and Belo Horizonte streets. The victim’s identity remains under investigation.