Police in Brazil have seized a man who stabbed his estranged partner to death in front of their three young children.

Police in Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro state, arrested Marcelo de Souza Santos on 9th December for the killing of his former partner, Ana Beatriz Ramos da Silva.

The suspect told police he had killed her earlier that day, following an argument at her home in neighbouring Duque de Caxias.

Ana Beatriz’s cousin told how, on collecting their three children, one – aged nine – shouted: “My mother is dead! My father killed my mother!”

The couple’s other children are another boy and a young girl.

The cousin said Ana Beatriz had been in a relationship with Santos for nine years but she had broken up with him in August because of his violent behaviour.

Santos was allegedly unhappy with the separation and had refused to accept it.

The victim’s family said he had a history of violence against women and that he had breached restraining orders taken out by their late relative.

At the time of reporting, Santos was due to attend a custody hearing and was facing a charge of femicide.