A budding beauty queen has plunged to her death from a 13th-storey balcony before her boyfriend allegedly killed himself in police custody.
Ana Luiza Mateus Souza, a psychologist and model, was found dead at around 5.30am yesterday (22 Apr).
Police arrested her boyfriend, Endreo Lincoln Ferreira da Cunha, 32, at the scene on suspicion of femicide.
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He allegedly tampered with the body after the fall, attempting to alter the crime scene at the Alfapark Condominium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Hours later, he was found dead in a cell after apparently taking his own life.
Investigators suspect the 29-year-old victim, who was due to represent Bahia in the Miss Cosmo Brazil 2026 pageant, was pushed from the balcony.
Police spokesperson Renato Martins said the couple – who had been in a relationship for about three months – had been arguing through the night.
Neighbours reported hearing loud arguments. Endreo reportedly left the flat at one point after punching a door but later returned.
The victim told a friend days earlier that she felt trapped in a “golden cage” in the relationship.
Ana, who had over 41,000 Instagram followers, was planning to return to her home town of Teixeira de Freitas, Bahia, with a bus ticket booked for later that day.
Endreo reportedly admitted to officers that he “felt guilty” and had suffered from “pathological jealousy”, disliking Ana Luiza’s social media presence and her interactions with others.
It was later revealed he had a significant criminal record, including previous arrests for theft and receiving stolen goods.
Police believe he may have pushed her, as reported by Need To Know.
Ana, who had participated in São Paulo Fashion Week, had moved to Rio about a year earlier to pursue her modelling career.
The Miss Cosmo Brasil organisation issued a statement expressing “deep sorrow and consternation”, describing Ana Luiza as a talented young woman in her ascent.
The statement added: “The femicide cannot be treated as a statistic or routine.
“It is a reality that needs to be faced with seriousness, commitment and collective action.
“Ana Luiza will not be forgotten.”
Kaenia Santana, vice-president of Miss Cosmo Bahia, said the team was devastated.
Police are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of Ana Luiza’s death.
Endreo’s apparent suicide in custody is also under review.
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