A man has gone on the run after allegedly murdering his wife with a hammer in front of her nine-year-old son.

Alessandro Alves da Silva, 31, is suspected of killing his wife, 30-year-old Adriany Regina Gomes Pina, with hammer blows to her head at their home in the Brazilian municipality of Sumare on the night of 12th February.

A brother of the victim told the police he was outside the couple’s house when he heard an argument and saw the suspect running out and fleeing on his motorbike.

The brother then called the emergency services who arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim dead.

According to local media, Alessandro allegedly killed Adriany after she told him she wanted to break up with him.

Acquaintances have since confirmed that he was very possessive during the couple’s four-year relationship, which she had recently been trying to end.

According to the police, the suspect sent an audio message to his father confessing to the crime and asking him to pick up his nine-year-old stepson.

The youngster reportedly witnessed the crime.

According to local media, both the suspect and the victim, who worked as a maid, were consuming alcohol when the crime took place.

The police have registered the case as femicide and are still looking for the suspect who remains at large.

Adriany’s body was buried at Parque das Flores Cemetery in the nearby municipality of Campinas on 13th February.

The investigation continues.

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