Marceli de Oliveira Gottardo, 26, was killed in a botched exorcism carried out by a friend who claimed he was trying to expel her demons. The incident occurred in the Jardim Limoeiro neighbourhood of Serra, in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil.
Neighbours heard blood-curdling screams coming from the apartment and called police after their intercom calls were briefly answered. The friend, Bryan Fernando Gimenez Souza, 26, later allegedly approached another resident for help, leading to the discovery of Marceli lying on the floor with convulsions.
Details of the Incident
A student nurse living in the building attempted first aid, but Marceli was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses reported visible injuries, including strangulation marks, facial trauma, ear bleeding, and multiple bruises. A post-mortem examination by the Legal Medical Institute determined the cause of death as an intracranial hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury from severe blunt-force blows.
Souza told police that he and Marceli had taken drugs earlier that day, a claim supported by the discovery of cocaine and empty packages near the sofa. He said he believed she was "possessed by demons" and assaulted her to "expel the demons".
Legal Proceedings
Police arrested Souza at the scene and charged him with aggravated homicide. He was transferred to the Rodrigo Figueiredo da Rosa Penitentiary Complex while investigations continue.
