CHAPECÓ, Brazil — A 41-year-old bodybuilder was stabbed to death early Sunday outside his apartment in Chapecó, and police say his girlfriend, who was found wounded and is fighting for her life in hospital, is the prime suspect.
Valter de Vargas Aita was discovered with multiple stab wounds, including injuries to his abdomen, back, face and neck, authorities said. Police released photographs of the scene showing pools of blood on the floor where Aita’s body was found.
Investigators said they located the girlfriend after following a trail of blood from the scene. She arrived at a local hospital with a stab wound and remains in critical condition. Police told reporters that if she recovers, they will arrest her on suspicion of murder.
Authorities also said the woman was already wanted in connection with an armed robbery case. Officials did not provide details linking that case to Sunday’s killings and said the investigation into the circumstances and motive remains ongoing.
Police described the scene as violent and said Aita had been stabbed multiple times. Local law enforcement released the photographs to the media as part of the ongoing inquiry. No arrests have been reported to date beyond the potential future arrest of the injured woman should she survive her wounds.
Chapecó, in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina, has seen a range of high-profile crimes in recent years, but officials cautioned against drawing broader conclusions from a single incident. Investigators are continuing forensic work at the site and reviewing medical and witness information to establish a clearer timeline of events.
Authorities asked anyone with additional information to come forward as they piece together what led to the fatal attack. Police said they will provide further updates as the investigation progresses and as the hospital reports on the condition of the injured woman.