A glamorous influencer has been arrested over the brutal murder of a businessman.
Thaisa Figueiredo was detained during Operation Aurum, a major police investigation into a suspected criminal gang accused of robbing people of valuable jewellery and watches.
Seven people were arrested during the operation, including Thaisa, her father, and two men suspected of carrying out the fatal attack on businessman and politician Glicério Oliveira Feitosa.
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The arrests came after investigators reportedly identified substantial financial transactions linked to the influencer and her father, although police have not established that the money came from criminal activity.
Feitosa was shot dead outside a car dealership in João Pessoa, Brazil, in May this year, as reported by Need To Know.
CCTV showed two men arriving on a motorcycle before one got off and opened fire.
The businessman, who stood for mayor of Bayeux in 2024, attempted to resist the attack before being fatally wounded, according to reports.
Police now believe his death was a robbery that ended in murder, rather than a killing planned for an unrelated motive.
Investigators said the gang selected potential victims by monitoring social media posts showing expensive gold jewellery, watches and other valuables.
The suspects allegedly shared information about targets in a WhatsApp group before conducting in-person surveillance, sometimes on the day before a robbery.
The police said a Chevrolet Onix associated with Figueiredo and her father was used to monitor Feitosa’s movements before the shooting.
They were arrested on suspicion of providing the vehicle, while officers also seized a motorcycle believed to have been used in the attack, a Toyota Hilux, jewellery and watches.
Police are examining more than £281,400 (BRL 2 million) in financial transactions over two years, with the origin of the money still under investigation.
Figueiredo’s lawyer, Ana Stephanie, denied that her client had any involvement in the murder and said the car had been used by a former partner whose relationship with the influencer ended about four months earlier.
The lawyer said Figueiredo was unaware of her former partner’s alleged criminal activities and maintained that her income came from her work online.
The defence also said it was unaware of any investigation into alleged money laundering and denied any connection between Figueiredo, her father and Feitosa, while disputing the financial allegations.
The investigation continues.
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