The suspects in the crime are Beatriz's ex-boyfriend, Samuel Castro Melo, 18, and his current girlfriend, Carla Luiza da Silva, 23 — Photo: Reproduction/TV Globo
The autopsy report on Beatriz Vitória Aparecida Neves Mota, aged 27, indicates that she may have been buried alive in Jaboticatubas, in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte. Experts found sandy material in the trachea and concluded that the young woman aspirated the contents while she was still alive.
The document from the Belo Horizonte Medical-Legal Institute (IML) was attached to the investigation this Monday (9). Despite signs of violence and the presence of dirt in the airways, forensics were unable to determine the cause of death, because the advanced state of decomposition compromised part of the analysis.
Beatriz had been missing since October 9th and was found in a shallow grave in the rural area of Jaboticatubas on the 21st of that month. Her ex-boyfriend, Samuel Castro Melo, 18, and his current partner, Carla Luza da Silva, 23, had their arrests converted into preventative arrests. The Civil Police investigate the case as premeditated femicide.
What the report points out
According to forensics, Beatriz had her hands and feet tied with metal wire. The examination also identified injuries to the head, face, neck and chest, including a fracture in the right jaw region.
The findings indicate the action of a blunt instrument or means, according to the document. The report, however, does not determine which object caused the injuries nor does it establish that they were the cause of death.
Regarding the material found in the trachea, the experts recorded that the finding indicates that “aspiration of this content occurred while the subject was still alive”.
The expert also described a change in the color of the teeth that can occur in deaths due to asphyxiation, but highlighted that this sign, in isolation, is not specific to this cause. In conclusion, the professionals reported that there were not enough elements to confirm or rule out asphyxiation.
The body showed signs compatible with more than 120 hours — five days — of death. This estimate does not establish the exact date on which Beatriz died.
Suspected pregnancy
Beatriz's family suspected that she was pregnant. In the examination described in the report, the uterus was without contents and was sent for additional analysis.
The document also records that the anatomopathological assessment was hampered by the state of decomposition of the body.
In toxicological tests of samples from the stomach and liver, no substances from the groups studied were detected.
What the defenses say
The family's legal representation stated that the presence of earth in the trachea reinforces the possibility that Beatriz was buried while she was still breathing.
In a statement, the lawyers said they await the continuation of the case and the analysis of all circumstances and evidence by the authorities.
Samuel's defense informed that it will request a new evaluation by other experts to clarify the amount of material found in the trachea and how it reached the airways.
The lawyers also argued that it is necessary to wait for the investigations to be completed and said that they will request an investigation into the possible participation of other people and who may have dug the grave.
The defense also questioned the actions of the teenager who indicated the location of the body. According to information released by the Civil Police, she is treated as a witness.
Regarding the suspicion of pregnancy, Samuel's lawyers stated that the document rules it out.
Carla's defense informed that they have not yet had access to the report.
Remember the case
Beatriz disappeared after leaving a bar in the Bosque dos Coqueiros neighborhood, in Jaboticatubas, on October 9. According to the investigation, she got into a car with Samuel, Carla and a 15-year-old girl.
In her statement, the teenager reported that the couple took Beatriz to a forested area and returned to the vehicle without her. The witness also accompanied the police officers and indicated where the body was buried.
According to the Civil Police, the grave had been opened before the arrival of the victim and those under investigation, which led the corporation to point out signs of premeditation.
When converting the couple's arrests into preventive ones, the Court cited evidence of their participation, the cruelty of the crime and the risk of interference in the investigations.
