A Brazilian engineer accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in Australia two years ago will face trial by jury.

Mario Marcelo Santoro landed home in Rio de Janeiro on the same day that the body of Cecilia Haddad, 38, was found in Sydney in Australia.

The engineer has been in preventive detention since 2018, accused of murdering his Brazilian ex-girlfriend.

According to the judge Ian Vermelho, there is “more than enough” evidence to suggest that Santoro committed the crime.

Vermelho mentioned that the man’s phone location data proved he was at the same spot where the victim’s body was found.

He also mentioned that witness information revealed that the couple’s relationship was abusive.

Haddad’s body was found floating in Sydney’s Lane Cove River by rowers on 29th April 2018.

The mining executive’s body was clothed and was found with signs of strangulation.

The couple had been living in Australia where they both worked.

Haddad had recently broken up with Santoro, who was 40 at the time, and he is suspected of killing his ex out of spite.

Joao Haddad, the victim’s brother, told local media: “He didn’t accept the breakup and he followed my sister in the street, to the places where she went. He invaded her privacy.

“Cecilia told me this, and I told her to go to the police. It’s a shame she didn’t listen.”

Santoro was arrested at a relative’s house in Rio de Janeiro on 7th July 2018.

He has so far not spoken out. However, his lawyer has said he will do so during the trial.

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