A man has been arrested for beating his toddler daughter, wife and mother-in-law to death with a shovel and a hoe.
Military Police (Brazil’s preventive police force) officers arrested Miqueias da Silva Santana, 30, in the Brazilian city of Campinas on Tuesday morning, 18th January.
The alleged crimes took place in the Vila Aeroporto neighbourhood, and officers went to the scene after the suspect called the cops to admit that he had “messed up”.
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According to the Civil Police (Brazil’s investigative police force), the suspect killed his daughter Manuella Bernardes Santana, 3, on Monday night.
He also killed his mother-in-law Creuza Aparecida Bernardes, 71, on the same night. And he killed his wife Claudia Bernardes Santos, 34, on Tuesday morning.
The motive for the crimes is not yet confirmed. However, the police say the attacks took place following an argument between the man and his wife.
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The mother-in-law is believed to have intervened during the row, which may have been prompted because the wife wanted a separation, according to a neighbour.
The case has been registered as triple femicide, and the shovel and hoe allegedly used in the crimes have been seized by the police.
According to police spokesman Mateus Rocha, the suspect was calm during questioning and confessed all spontaneously.
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The suspect reportedly told the officers that he and his wife had been arguing for about three months, with the rows getting progressively worse.
The suspect said that he launched his attacks after pretending to leave home to pop to the shops following his latest row with his wife.
At the time of reporting, there was no known record of past abuse committed by the suspect against his wife.
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At the time of the crime, a neighbour, identified as housewife Sandra Maria Cogo, reported hearing some 10 thuds and screaming.
She described the family as calm and normal.
The investigation is ongoing.