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

An aggrieved dad seen here cuddling his son has shot the boy dead before turning the gun on himself after a court denied him custody.

The shocking crime took place in the Tucuruvi district of the city of Sao Paulo, in south-eastern Brazil, on the morning of Sunday, 8th May, which is Mother’s Day in the country.

The shots were fired in the hotel room where Jhoathan Joao Pelepenko, 40, was staying while visiting his son Johan Nijou Pelepenko, aged 10.

Jhoathan turned the gun on himself after shooting Johan, and both were found dead at the scene after the police were called when the shots were heard. The two were found with bullet wounds to the head.

A lawyer representing the boy’s mother – from whom Jhoathan was separated – said the dad had attended a virtual hearing regarding custody over the boy.

His request – that he be granted permission for his son to go and live with him for a year at his home in Marau, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul – was rejected.

The presiding judge ruled that while the boy would continue to live with his mother, Jhoathan would continue to be granted consistent, regular parenting time.

The couple had met online and enjoyed a stable relationship. Johan was born in 2011 and the couple began their separation process in 2013.

Johan was used to spending his school holidays with his dad – who was never known to have displayed violent behaviour – in Marau.

The case has been registered as homicide and will be investigated by the police.