The body of a missing mum has been found by the side of a road.
Suzan Christian Barbosa Ferreira had travelled to the States in early June to find suppliers for her family’s imported goods store in Brazil.
It was the first time the 42-year-old had ever journeyed outside of her home country.
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Her body was found on the side of a road in Washtenaw County, Michigan, US, on 30 June.
As her corpse was naked, the police currently suspect a sexual motive for the crime.
Barbosa, who came from Belo Horizonte in Brazil, disappeared a week before her body was found, according to her family.
Her sister, Roberta Barbosa Ferreira, said she grew concerned when the victim stopped calling and answering messages.
She described her sister as “naive, kind, and always willing to help others”.
On 9 July, the police in Dearborn City arrested a local resident, identified as 57-year-old Fareed George Hajjar, in connection with the case.
Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office charged Hajjar on 12 July.
He stands accused of two felony counts involving dead bodies: disinterment and mutilation, and concealing the death of an individual.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 25 July.
Dearborn Police spokesperson Timothy McHale said: “Our officers worked around the clock with Northfield Township to identify, develop a person of interest, and gather sufficient evidence to present the case to the prosecutor’s office.
“While we have obtained some charges in this case, this continues to be an ongoing and very active investigation.”
The victim’s family has launched an online crowdfunding campaign to help cover the costs of repatriating her body to Brazil.
It is believed to cost around £14,200 (BRL 100,000) to transport Barbosa’s corpse back home.
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that they are in contact with the US authorities over the matter, as reported by Need To Know.
However, the transportation of bodies cannot be financed with public funds.
Barbosa leaves behind two children aged 15 and five.
The investigation continues.
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