A nurse and former beauty queen has died after she was shot through the head by her abusive husband during a jealous row when he accused her of having an affair.
Mum-of-two Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, also known as Paula Barroso, was killed by her husband, Alciderico Santos Moreira, inside a small shop that they owned in Macapa, in the state of Amapa in Brazil.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Federal Highway Police said officers were alerted after reports that a woman had been struck by a gunshot on Sunday night, 25th January.
Benedita was rushed to a Federal Highway Police unit in a private vehicle and was still alive when she arrived.
An ambulance was called, but before medical teams could reach the scene, she was taken to hospital by members of the public. She later died from her injuries.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Civil Police said the bullet entered and passed through the victim’s head.
Moreira, 50, fled the scene but was later tracked down and arrested. During questioning, he admitted to firing the gunshot but claim it was “accidental”.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
The suspect was extremely jealous and suspected that his wife was cheating on him, according to information received by police.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Police confirmed he was in possession of an unregistered firearm that he claimed was for personal protection.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Civil Police also said that shortly before the shooting, Benedita had spoken to her sister by phone and said she was planning to travel to her sister’s home, but she never arrived.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Prosecutors charged the suspect with femicide and said in a 28th January statement: “The crime was committed for reasons related to the victim’s condition as a woman, using a method that hindered her ability to defend herself, in addition to a history of prior threats and assaults.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
“The victim was living in a continuous cycle of violence, marked by physical abuse, financial/property-related violence, and repeated threats.”
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Benedita was known in her community for taking part in beauty contests, including a neighbourhood pageant held in late 2025.
Picture shows Benedita de Jesus Barroso, 30, known as Paula Barroso with son, undated. She was murdered by her husband in Macapa, Brazil. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash)
Picture shows the man arrested on suspicion of killing beauty pageant contestant in Macapa, Brazil, undated. The suspect is the victim’s husband. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash)
She leaves behind two children, aged 10 and seven, from her relationship with the suspect.
(Aloysius Fernandes /Newsflash)
