Federal authorities have arrested Flavio Alcantara Dias, a 43-year-old national of Brazil, in connection with the strangulation death of Brianna Connolly, 33, in her Framingham, Massachusetts home. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Dias is an undocumented immigrant who was released into the United States during the Biden administration, despite a criminal history that included arrests for driving under the influence and aggravated assault.
ICE stated that Dias illegally entered the U.S. in April 2019. In October 2024, an immigration judge granted his motion to terminate immigration hearings based on a technicality, which concluded his case despite his criminal record and unlawful presence. A Department of Homeland Security statement indicated that he was subsequently released into the country by the Biden administration.
Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney Thomas Brandt recounted that Dias himself called 911 after an altercation with Connolly. According to reports, Dias stated, "I ended up killing a woman by mistake." He also said, "I went crazy and suffocated her later on, says that he strangled her," according to Brandt, who noted Dias was speaking Portuguese.
Brandt told the courtroom that Dias had informed police during the 911 call that he and Connolly had been using drugs in her home and that an argument ensued because he desired sexual intimacy, which she refused. Dias reportedly told police he fell asleep and later woke to find Connolly unresponsive.
Investigators observed that Connolly had "blood marks on her forehead and also on the back of her head" as well as "a fabric-y cord around her neck," Brandt said. Authorities urged local police departments to cooperate with ICE in transferring such individuals to facilitate removal.
ICE stated, "Our message is clear: if you come into our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you."