A suspected killer of an influencer’s mum has been found dead by the roadside with his eyes gouged out.
Police say Jose Brito Dos Reis was executed with four gunshots to the head and one to the back.
His eyes had also been removed.
His body was discovered after an anonymous caller tipped off officers.
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Jose had been the prime suspect in the murder of his partner, Isabel Cristina Simplício, mother of influencer Isabelly Aurora.
Isabel, 52, was found dead on her farm in Manaus, Brazil, on Tuesday (9 Dec) morning.
She had suffered severe injuries, including marks of strangulation and knife wounds around her eyes.
Police quickly identified Jose as the main suspect after he allegedly sent an audio message to the victim’s son confessing to the attack, as reported by Need To Know.
In the recording, he claimed Isabel had suffered a mental breakdown and said he strangled her after an alleged assault.
He fled the scene but was later tracked down in a wooded area by suspected gang members.
Police chief George Gomes said the couple had been together for less than a year.
Jose’s body was found less than 24 hours after Isabel’s.
It was discovered in the Tarumã area in the West Zone of Manaus yesterday (10 Dec) morning.
Officers are now investigating whether his apparent assassination was directly linked to Isabel’s suspected murder, noting the similar knife wounds to the eyes.
Isabelly Aurora posted a heartbreaking tribute beside her mother’s coffin.
To her 420,000 Instagram followers, she wrote: “Mum, today the world became quieter without your voice, and my heart aches without your embrace.
“I never imagined I would have to say goodbye to you so soon, so suddenly.
“It’s hard to accept that now I can only speak to you in thought, but even so, I want my words to reach you wherever you are.
“Thank you, Mum, for everything. For every piece of advice, for every scolding that I now understand was love.
“For every sleepless night because of me. For every smile you gave even when life hurt you.
“You were my strength, my safe haven, my greatest role model.
“And even though you’re no longer here, you still are.
“It hurts so much to know that I won’t see you arriving, I won’t smell your scent, or hear you say ‘have you eaten yet, daughter?’
“I promise to honour your story, to take care of those you loved, and to continue being the daughter you always believed I could be.
“I love you forever.”
Isabelly, who also has 845,000 TikTok followers, had helped her mum grow her own online presence.
The 52-year-old had recently launched an Instagram account showing off her life on the farm and her passion for fishing in Manaus.
She had gained 32,000 followers before her death.
Her bio read: “A woman who’s happy with life. Adventurous, mother of three, 52 years old, a no-nonsense fisherwoman and businesswoman.”
Police continue to investigate both suspected murders.
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