Michael da Silva, a 28-year-old Brazilian man, has confessed to stabbing a 23-year-old university student, Mayara Roquetto, 28 times because he wanted her cellphone
Gatekeepers News reports that Michael da Silva, a 28-year-old Brazilian man, has confessed to stabbing a 23-year-old university student, Mayara Roquetto, 28 times because he wanted her cellphone
Gatekeepers News reports that footage of the arrest recorded by the police showed da Silva told the arresting officers that he had killed Roquetto ‘near the rock’ where he had hidden the murder weapons.
Authorities found Roquetto’s cellphone hidden in his underwear.
According to Brazilian media reports, Da Silva had schizophrenia.
He was taken into custody after leading the police on a chase through a wooded area in São João da Boa Vista.
Police chief Fabiano Antunes said da Silva was also wanted for the attempted murder of his neighbour (a woman), who he reportedly lured to his home and asked to help him move a closet.
“He hit this girl in the head with the butt (of the gun) and fired two shots …,” Antunes said, as quoted by Brazilian news outlet G1. “They got into a fistfight, she asked for help, and he ran away.”
Da Silva also had an arrest warrant in connection to the attempted murder of his stepfather.
Police said Roquetto (a biology student) whose dream was to become a teacher had gone out for a walk along a road near her family’s condominium. At one point, she stopped and sat down for a break.
Da Silva, who was hiding in the woods, spotted the victim and walked up to her and ordered her to hand over the cellphone.
Antunes said Roquetto ‘would have fled or reacted’ before da Silva stabbed her in the arm, hand, chest, and head.
Roquetto’s body was discovered Sunday evening by her childhood friend Beatriz Galdino, according to G1.
‘I want justice … She was a bright girl. She didn’t deserve that,’ she told the outlet. ‘She fought a lot. She was a warrior until the end.’
Friends said Roquetto lived in the São Paulo town of Campinas but made the 1 hour, 45 minute trip to São João da Boa Vista to spend the weekends with her family.
“If he is sick, (he has to stay) arrested and don’t make society laugh because the people are not only angry but also very afraid,” Roquetto’s friend, Marta Beane, said.
Da Silva was charged with robbery followed by death and could serve 20 to 30 years in prison if convicted.
