Police in the southern region of Brazil are still on the lookout for the head of a 65-year-old woman who was brutally killed and dismembered. The victim, Brasília Costa, was allegedly murdered by her 66-year-old partner, Ricardo Jardim, in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. The investigation commenced after the discovery of the victim’s torso inside a suitcase at the city’s bus station on August 20. Jardim was apprehended in September, with authorities claiming the murder occurred on August 9, driven by a financial motive as Jardim attempted to use Ms. Costa’s credit cards.
Jardim, who works as an advertising executive, had previously served a 28-year sentence starting in 2018 for killing his mother and concealing her body in concrete. He was released in 2024 under a semi-open prison arrangement.
Lead investigator Mario Souza expressed optimism about finding the victim’s head, stating that despite the challenges each day brings, they remain committed to locating it. Souza mentioned that Jardim will not be involved in the search due to providing misleading information in the past that impeded the investigation.
Despite Jardim claiming to have disposed of the victim’s head in a specific area, searches yielded no results. The Public Defender’s Office representing Jardim declined to comment except through court documents.
Should the head not be found soon, authorities plan to conclude the investigation and formally charge Jardim with murder. Police believe that Jardim disposed of parts of the victim’s body in an area without surveillance cameras on August 13. On August 20, he allegedly left a suitcase at the bus station, a monitored location, before heading to the North Zone, visiting a commercial establishment, and later staying at an inn. Security footage identified him lowering his mask at the bus station.
The victim’s torso was discovered by station staff on September 1, while her legs were located in separate areas of the city on September 6 and September 7. Forensic reports are being prepared for submission to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.