A 26-year-old mother has died after falling from a seventh-floor hotel window in front of her boyfriend when an aluminium panel she was resting against gave way. Renata Rebeca Negrão Saldanha dos Santos plunged from a corridor window at the Rio Poty Hotel in São Luís, Brazil, at around 1.30am on Tuesday (3 November).
CCTV shows the moments before the fall
CCTV footage shows the couple stopping outside their room, apparently searching for the key, before she perched on the window frame. She leaned back against the panel, which gave way and sent her falling backwards.
Renata landed on the canopy above the hotel entrance, was given first aid at the scene but died of her injuries.
Police rule out foul play
Police chief George Marques, who is leading the inquiry for the state homicide and personal protection unit, said the pair had been drinking during a night out and appeared drunk. Detailing the footage, he said: “Her partner was questioned and released.
“We can clearly see there was no type of aggression, there was no push, he wasn’t even near her.”
He said the images confirmed the death was accidental, and that her boyfriend, named as Leonardo Augusto Pinto França, is not a suspect but could be called back for a further statement. He told officers he cannot remember the fall.
Investigation into the panel continues
The couple from Ananindeua had stayed at the hotel for a poker tournament since 28 October. They were due to fly home that day.
Maranhão’s public security secretariat said forensic experts had examined the hotel and window structure, with tests still ongoing. It is currently unclear what caused the panel to come loose or whether there were any faults.
In a statement, the secretariat said the examinations were carried out “to establish the circumstances of the fall” and would feed the civil police inquiry.
The Rio Poty Hotel said it deeply regretted her death, offered solidarity to her family and friends and had made itself available to the authorities. Asked about the building’s windows, the hotel said it would not comment further.
Renata, who studied business administration, leaves two young children. Her body was flown back to Belém on Wednesday, where her mother Betty Negrão said: “My daughter went out to enjoy herself and I am receiving her in a coffin.
“I hope for justice.”
The investigation continues.
