Woman who stabbed victim at Halloween party is a public servant; police begin investigating attempted murder

The woman suspected of stabbing Tainá Polegato Alves in the neck during a Halloween party in Itapecerica da Serra, in Greater São Paulo, is an employee of the city's city hall. The information was confirmed by the municipal administration this Friday (6). The Public Security Secretariat of the State of SP (SSP) also reported that the case was registered as an attempted murder.

Identified as Joyce Mara Rocumback Espírito Santo, aged 43, the suspect holds the position of Works and Environment inspector and is still on probation, a period in which the administration evaluates the performance of newly hired employees.

In a statement, Itapecerica da Serra City Hall stated that it is awaiting official notification from the authorities to decide what administrative measures will be taken in relation to the employee.

The city hall also reported that it does not have in its records proof that the employee has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition that, according to the administration, was alleged by the suspect.

The initial police report also records that Joyce told the police that she was taking controlled medication and that she was not feeling well while being treated at the police station.

For this reason, the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) was called. After being released by police authorities, the suspect was taken to a health unit.

The document does not say which medications she used or establish any relationship between their use and the attack.

How the attack happened

Tainá was stabbed in the early hours of Sunday (1st), after a disagreement in the bathroom queue at Bar Cristal Rock, where she was participating in a Halloween party with friends.

According to the police report, the suspect accused Tainá of ​​jumping the queue. The argument was quick and ended when the woman took a knife from her bag and hit the victim in the neck.

Images from a security camera show the suspect approaching Tainá, touching her arm and, after a brief exchange of words, making a movement with an object towards her neck.

In a video published on social media, Tainá said that she initially thought the knife was fake because she was at a Halloween party.

"It took me about 10 seconds to understand because it was Halloween. I thought it was a fake knife. I only realized when the blood started spraying."

The victim remains hospitalized. In a video, she reported difficulties swallowing and stated that tests identified a lesion in a branch of the carotid artery. According to Tainá, there was the possibility of surgery due to internal bleeding.

“I'm able to speak, but I'm having difficulty swallowing, eating. [...] If I'm alive here today, it's really God.”

Investigation for attempted murder

The case was initially registered by the Civil Police as minor bodily injury and possession of a bladed weapon. In the first report, the police authority stated that there was, at that time, no indication of an intention to kill.

This Friday (6), however, the Public Security Secretariat reported that the incident was registered as an attempted homicide.

A knife found in the suspect's bag was seized and sent for forensic examination. The police also requested a forensic examination for the victim.

Tainá stated that she intends to seek to hold the woman responsible for the attack.

"At least I'm alive. This was a personal attack, I can't let this go unpunished."

Victim went to ICU

In a video, the victim stated that he had difficulty swallowing after the injury and that he remained hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

According to her report, tests indicated an injury to a carotid branch and there was a possibility of surgery due to internal bleeding.

She also stated that there was no prolonged discussion nor time for her to walk away before the coup.

"There wasn't an argument, there wasn't a threat for me to leave, nothing. [...] She just said it and did it."