Pilates Teacher's Husband and Mother-in-Law Arrested After She's Found Dead from Suspected Poisoning: Reports
A pilates teacher in Brazil was found dead at her Ribeirão Preto apartment in the state of São Paulo on March 22, per local media reports
Larissa Rodrigues, 37, had recently found out her husband, Luíz Antônio Garnica, 38, had allegedly been having an affair, local news agency G1 noted
Garnica and his mother, Elizabete Arrabaça, 67, have now been arrested amid accusations that they fatally poisoned Rodrigues, per the outletA Brazilian pilates teacher's husband and his mother have been accused of fatally poisoning her, according to multiple local media reports.
Larissa Rodrigues, 37, was found dead in her Ribeirão Preto apartment in the Brazilian state of São Paulo on March 22, per O Correio Brazilense.
On Tuesday, May 6, Rodrigues' husband, Luíz Antônio Garnica, 38, who is a doctor, and his mother, Elizabete Arrabaça, 67, were arrested on suspicion of qualified homicide, G1 reported, citing the country's Civil Police. G1 added that Rodrigues had recently discovered Garnica had been have an extramarital affair, citing investigators.
Local police chief Fernando Bravo alleged that Rodrigues had told friends she "felt sick every time her mother-in-law visited her," per one of G1's translated posts. It's thought Arrabaca was the last person to see Rodrigues alive, the outlet stated.
"This is an indication that she was gradually poisoned, which corroborates all the information we received, that she felt ill during the week, after her mother-in-law's visit. This is an indication that, for us, she was gradually poisoned," Bravo said, the publication reported.
According to UOL, a toxicology report "concluded the cause of death as poisoning after finding the substance popularly known as 'chumbinho' in the victim's body."
"Chumbinho is a substance used as pesticide, but it is not sold over the counter in Brazil for domestic use," toxicologist Daniel Junqueira Dorta, professor at the USP Chemistry Department, said, per G1.
"It is restricted and difficult to access. It leads to a cholinergic crisis [loss of motor function] and, depending on the extent and intensity of this crisis, it can lead to several factors, including the possibility of culminating in the death of the individual," he added, according to the outlet.
The toxicology report also indicated traces of lead had been found in Rodrigues' system, per G1. UOL reported, citing police, that Arrabaça had tried to buy lead 15 days prior to her daughter-in-law's death, and had allegedly called a friend, who owns a farm, to ask if she had the substance.
Police officer Bravo claimed Garnica had attempted to get rid of evidence by cleaning their apartment after finding his wife in rigor mortis, UOL reported.
"His involvement was very obvious to us," Bravo said, per the outlet.
Garnica had reportedly been having an affair, and police allegedly found his lover at the apartment when they carried out a search warrant, the outlet noted. The pair had allegedly gone to the movies together the day before Rodrigues' death, UOL stated.
Arrabaça denied involvement in the murder case as she spoke briefly to reporters while on her way to a custody hearing on Wednesday, May 7, G1 noted. In an emailed statement to PEOPLE, Garnica's lawyer, Julio Mossin, also denied all the charges against his client, insisting, "There is no evidence that he poisoned his wife or helped anyone else to do so."
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Rodrigues' longtime friend, Maísa Ramos, said in an interview with TV Globo-affiliated EPTV of the last in-person conversation she had with Rodrigues about her marriage in February, "She knew it was a relationship that wasn't working out, but she couldn't leave. So much so that the last time we talked, she said 'I can't leave.' ... In the message we exchanged, she said it was out of fear, but she didn't say what kind of fear," per O Correio Brazilense.
Amid Rodrigues' murder case, the Civil Police have also requested exhumation of the body of Garnica's sister, who died in February, per G1.
The Civil Police of the State of São Paulo and the Court of Justice of São Paulo didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
Read the original article on People
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Massachusetts high schooler detained by ICE speaks out following release
Marcelo Gomes da Silva, the 18-year-old Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on his way to volleyball practice last week, said following his release that he wants to help those still detained in the facility where he was held for nearly a week. "I would have to watch people cry, people with kids," the teen said during a press briefing in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Thursday after a judge granted him bond. "No one deserves to be down there." Gomes da Silva, a Brazilian national who is a junior at Milford Public High School, was arrested on Saturday, according to a court filing from his attorney. He said he wasn't able to shower for six days and would sleep on a concrete floor while being held at a facility in Burlington. The teen said he would share his limited food with the other men detained and often acted as their translator because he speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish. "At the end of the day, this place -- it's not a good spot to be," he said. Gomes da Silva said he would pray and talk to the other inmates about the Bible. "The only thing I could do is thank God every day," he said. MORE: Massachusetts high schooler detained by ICE on way to volleyball practice granted bond by judge Gomes da Silva's arrest sparked an outcry from Massachusetts officials and the Milford community where he has lived since he came to the United States in 2012 at the age of 6. He said he never saw the public support while he was detained and is grateful for it. "We don't have TVs in there," he said. "We don't get to see the daylight." Gomes da Silva, who was driving his father's car at the time of his arrest, was pulled over and detained even though the father was the target of the operation. The father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, was sought because he "has a habit of reckless driving" at speeds over 100 mph, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He has not been detained. "I heard a lot of people talk bad about my dad, but if you want to talk bad about my dad, then you have to talk bad about me, because he raised me," Gomes da Silva said. "He doesn't deserve any hate, because I was raised from him." Gomes da Silva said his dad would cry on their calls and "has never done anything wrong." "I don't want anyone to touch my dad," he said. "My dad's everything to me," he added. Gomes da Silva was granted $2,000 bond on Thursday after an immigration judge found he is not a danger to the community. Following his release, he said he went to McDonald's and had French fries, chicken nuggets and a Coke. He said he was looking forward to hugging his parents, sister, brother and dog, a mini-poodle. He was greeted by his siblings, parents and classmates once he returned home Thursday evening. Gomes da Silva said he's "optimistic" about his future and wants to help the other men detained. "My dad always taught me to be humble and to put other people first," he said. "I want to do whatever I can to get them as much help as possible." MORE: Family members of Massachusetts teen detained by ICE plead for his release Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton said he and fellow Rep. Jake Auchincloss planned to inspect the Burlington facility where the teen was held. "This administration is not keeping us safe by keeping 18-year-old honor students in prison," Moulton said at the press briefing. "What we see here today -- it's not American. It doesn't represent our values." Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who had called for the teen's release following his arrest, said in a statement that she is "relieved that Marcelo will be returning home to his parents, siblings, classmates and the Milford community." "Marcelo never should have been arrested or detained, and it certainly did not make us safer," she said. "It's not okay that students across the state are fearful of going to school or sports practice, and that parents have to question whether their children will come home at the end of the day. In Massachusetts, we are going to keep speaking out for what's right and supporting one another in our communities." Gomes da Silva entered the U.S. in 2012 and was on a student visa that has since lapsed, according to his attorney. He has no criminal history and is "eligible for and intends to apply for asylum," his attorney stated in a habeas corpus petition filed Sunday seeking his release. A federal judge issued an emergency order Sunday afternoon directing the government not to remove Gomes da Silva from the U.S. or to transfer him out of the judicial district of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours. On Monday, a federal judge ordered that the government not transfer the teen out of Massachusetts without first providing the court at least 48 hours' advance notice of and reasons for the move. The government was given 14 days to respond. ICE officials defended the arrest during a briefing on Monday. "When we go out into the community and we find others who are unlawfully here, we are going to arrest them," ICE acting Field Director Patricia Hyde said at a press briefing on Monday. "We've been completely transparent with that. He's 18 years old. He's unlawfully in this country."
6 hours ago
Massachusetts high schooler detained by ICE on way to volleyball practice speaks out following release
Marcelo Gomes da Silva, the 18-year-old Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on his way to volleyball practice last week, said following his release that he wants to help those still detained in the facility where he was held for nearly a week. "I would have to watch people cry, people with kids," the teen said during a press briefing in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Thursday after a judge granted him bond. "No one deserves to be down there." Gomes da Silva, a Brazilian national who is a junior at Milford Public High School, was arrested on Saturday, according to a court filing from his attorney. He said he wasn't able to shower for six days and would sleep on a concrete floor while being held at a facility in Burlington. The teen said he would share his limited food with the other men detained and often acted as their translator because he speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish. "At the end of the day, this place -- it's not a good spot to be," he said. Gomes da Silva said he would pray and talk to the other inmates about the Bible. "The only thing I could do is thank God every day," he said. Gomes da Silva's arrest sparked an outcry from Massachusetts officials and the Milford community where he has lived since he came to the United States in 2012 at the age of 6. He said he never saw the public support while he was detained and is grateful for it. "We don't have TVs in there," he said. "We don't get to see the daylight." Gomes da Silva, who was driving his father's car at the time of his arrest, was pulled over and detained even though the father was the target of the operation. The father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, was sought because he "has a habit of reckless driving" at speeds over 100 mph, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He has not been detained. "I heard a lot of people talk bad about my dad, but if you want to talk bad about my dad, then you have to talk bad about me, because he raised me," Gomes da Silva said. "He doesn't deserve any hate, because I was raised from him." Gomes da Silva said his dad would cry on their calls and "has never done anything wrong." "I don't want anyone to touch my dad," he said. "My dad's everything to me," he added. Gomes da Silva was granted $2,000 bond on Thursday after an immigration judge found he is not a danger to the community. Following his release, he said he went to McDonald's and had French fries, chicken nuggets and a Coke. He said he was looking forward to hugging his parents, sister, brother and dog, a mini-poodle. He was greeted by his siblings, parents and classmates once he returned home Thursday evening. Gomes da Silva said he's "optimistic" about his future and wants to help the other men detained. "My dad always taught me to be humble and to put other people first," he said. "I want to do whatever I can to get them as much help as possible." Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton said he and fellow Rep. Jake Auchincloss planned to inspect the Burlington facility where the teen was held. "This administration is not keeping us safe by keeping 18-year-old honor students in prison," Moulton said at the press briefing. "What we see here today -- it's not American. It doesn't represent our values." Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who had called for the teen's release following his arrest, said in a statement that she is "relieved that Marcelo will be returning home to his parents, siblings, classmates and the Milford community." "Marcelo never should have been arrested or detained, and it certainly did not make us safer," she said. "It's not okay that students across the state are fearful of going to school or sports practice, and that parents have to question whether their children will come home at the end of the day. In Massachusetts, we are going to keep speaking out for what's right and supporting one another in our communities." Gomes da Silva entered the U.S. in 2012 and was on a student visa that has since lapsed, according to his attorney. He has no criminal history and is "eligible for and intends to apply for asylum," his attorney stated in a habeas corpus petition filed Sunday seeking his release. A federal judge issued an emergency order Sunday afternoon directing the government not to remove Gomes da Silva from the U.S. or to transfer him out of the judicial district of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours. On Monday, a federal judge ordered that the government not transfer the teen out of Massachusetts without first providing the court at least 48 hours' advance notice of and reasons for the move. The government was given 14 days to respond. ICE officials defended the arrest during a briefing on Monday. "When we go out into the community and we find others who are unlawfully here, we are going to arrest them," ICE acting Field Director Patricia Hyde said at a press briefing on Monday. "We've been completely transparent with that. He's 18 years old. He's unlawfully in this country."
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jiu-Jitsu Student Who Was Paralyzed from Neck Down by Black-Belt Instructor Awarded $56 Million in Court
Jack Greener was left paralyzed from the neck down by his jiu-jitsu instructor in 2018 He was awarded $56 million in court after the jiu-jitsu studio appealed a 2023 verdict Greener's cervical vertebrae was crushed when his instructor placed his full body weight on himA California man has been awarded $56 million after he was left paralyzed from the neck down by his jiu-jitsu instructor. Jack Greener suffered the life-changing spinal cord injury at Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club in 2018 when he sought out the help of instructor Francisco Iturralde, a second-degree black belt also known as "Sinistro." Then a 23-year-old beginner white belt, Greener was sparring with Iturralde, 33, when his cervical vertebrae was crushed, according to NBC and CBS. Greener's injury happened when the instructor placed his full body weight on the student, ultimately rendering him quadriplegic, per CBS. He spent several months in the hospital and reportedly suffered multiple strokes during treatment, his attorneys told the outlet. A 2023 trial that lasted weeks awarded Greener, now 30, $46,475,112.33 in damages. The defendants appealed, but the California Supreme Court declined to overturn the verdict on Tuesday, June 3 and the amount now exceeds $56 million after post-judgment interest. At the time, Greener was set to graduate from college just weeks after the injury and was pursuing a career as a professional surf instructor, his attorneys told CBS. In a video shared on YouTube in 2022, Greener recalled the incident. "When it occured, the first thought that came to mind was, 'I'm going to be okay,' and then the second thought was, 'Oh s---, I can't move.' " Iturralde, who began practicing jiu-jitsu at 13, is known for his "dynamic, aggressive grappling style," according to his Digitsu biography. His style "earned him the nickname 'Sinistro,' meaning 'Sinister,' " his bio reads. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to NBC, the jury determined Iturralde's actions "unreasonably increased the risks" to his student "beyond those inherent in Brazilian jiu-jitsu" and that instructors may be held liable for "negligent conduct." Rahul Ravipudi, one of Greener's attorneys, praised the final ruling in a statement to NBC and said it "cements a critical legal victory not only for our client, but also for injured athletes across California by reaffirming that sports instructors and facilities may be held accountable when they unreasonably increase risks beyond those inherent in the sport." Read the original article on People
