Story By:  Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

A mum of three was shot dead when her mother dropped a bag with a cocked gun in it.

The gun fired a single shot, which hit 32-year-old Nayani Gonandy in the armpit.

The tragic incident took place at the family home in the Aribiri neighbourhood of Vila Velha, in south-eastern Brazil, on the afternoon of Tuesday, 3rd May.

Family members said Nayani’s mother was cleaning out a wardrobe when she dropped a bag with a loaded gun inside.

The .32 caliber pistol allegedly discharged on its own, and a bullet struck Nayani under her arm.

She was taken to the Antonio Bezerra de Faria Hospital, but died shortly afterwards.

Officials from the Municipal Guard took her 56-year-old mother in for questioning and charged her with manslaughter.

She was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm and was remanded in custody before being provisionally released on Wednesday.

The Civil Police (Brazil’s investigative police force) is investigating the case.

The force said the firearm belonged to the family and had been inherited from a deceased relative.

It was confiscated and sent away for analysis.

Nayani’s body was taken for an autopsy in nearby Vitoria before being released to family for her burial yesterday (Thursday).

The victim was a brow technician and leaves behind three children.

The investigation is ongoing.