Story By Marija Stojkoska
News Editor Ajda Ender
A real estate agent has been stabbed to death inside her home in front of her daughter allegedly by a neighbour who her family claims became obsessed with her and refused to accept she did not want a relationship with him.
Geiza Soares, 35, poses with suspect Vinicius Gomes Brito in undated photo. She was stabbed to death by the alleged stalker in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
The killing happened in the district of Itaquera, in the eastern part of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 5th July.
Geiza Soares, 35, was attacked with a knife at her home after her family said she had repeatedly told them she feared the suspect, Vinicius Brito, 31.
Geiza Soares, 35, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death by an alleged stalker in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Brito was described by friends and family as a calm and helpful person, but Geiza’s relatives claimed he had become fixated on her and would not accept her rejection.
The pair had known each other for around six months after meeting through their work while living as neighbours, according to Geiza’s family.
The alleged attack followed a confrontation at a local restaurant where Geiza and Brito were out with friends.
Geiza Soares, 35, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death by an alleged stalker in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX
According to reports, Geiza told him during the meeting that she wanted to end all contact with him.
She then took a rideshare vehicle home, but Brito allegedly followed her to her house, where the attack took place.
Her 18-year-old daughter, Nicole, witnessed the violence and tried to intervene as Brito allegedly attempted to strangle and stab her mother.
Geiza was found alive and taken to Santa Marcelina Hospital, but later died from her injuries.
Vinicius Gomes Britoposes in undated photo. He allgedly killed Geiza Soares, 35, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Authorities were investigating the killing as a suspected femicide, and a temporary arrest warrant had been issued for Brito, who remained wanted by police.
Geiza’s mother, Maria Alves Patez, said her daughter had told her that Brito was “obsessed” with her and refused to accept that she did not want a relationship with him.
Maria said: “She used to say: ‘Mum, this Vinícius is bothering me, he is going to end up doing something to me.’
“She would run away from him, saying she was not his, but he was obsessed with her. That was the worst part.”
According to Geiza’s relatives, the suspect continued trying to approach her despite her repeated refusals, and she had expressed fears that he could become violent.
Geiza Soares, 35, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death by an alleged stalker in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Geiza’s sister, Larissa Soares, paid tribute to her, saying: “Geiza loved living, travelling, enjoying herself and going out.
“He never had the right to do this. He could not have taken her away from me, from my family, from her daughter.”
Geiza was buried on Monday, 6th July, at Itaquera Cemetery.
Her death came as São Paulo recorded a rise in femicides, with 125 women killed in such cases across the state between January and May, almost 16 per cent more than during the same period last year.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
