Police in the southern region of Brazil are continuing their search for the head of a 65-year-old woman who was brutally murdered and dismembered. Brasília Costa was allegedly killed by her 66-year-old partner, Ricardo Jardim, in Porto Alegre, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The investigation began after the victim’s torso was discovered inside a suitcase at the city’s bus station on August 20. Jardim was taken into custody in September, with authorities claiming the murder occurred on August 9. Prosecutors suggest the motive behind the crime was financial, as Jardim purportedly attempted to use Ms. Costa’s credit cards.
Jardim, who works as an advertising executive, had previously served a 28-year sentence starting in 2018 for killing his mother and concealing her body in concrete, as per CNN Brasil. He was released in 2024 after transitioning to a semi-open prison regime.
Chief investigator Mario Souza expressed optimism about finding the victim’s head, stating that despite the challenge, they are committed to locating it. He noted that Jardim would not be enlisted to aid in the search due to providing misleading information that impeded previous investigative efforts.
Jardim had claimed to authorities that he disposed of the victim’s head in a specific area, leading to extensive searches in local landfills that yielded no results. The Public Defender’s Office representing Jardim declined to comment outside of court proceedings.
Even if the victim’s head remains undiscovered in the near future, authorities intend to conclude the investigation and formally charge Jardim with murder, as reported by G1.
Police revealed that Jardim initially disposed of parts of the victim’s body on August 13 in a remote area in the East Zone of Porto Alegre, where surveillance cameras were absent.
On August 20, Jardim reportedly left a suitcase at the bus station, a high-traffic area under surveillance, before traveling to the North Zone, visiting a commercial establishment, and later lodging at an inn. Security footage identified him lowering his mask at the bus station.
The victim’s torso was found by station staff on September 1, while her legs were subsequently discovered in two different locations in the South Zone of the city on September 6 and 7.
Forensic reports are in progress for submission to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.