Manhunt Underway for Head of Murdered Woman in Southern Brazil

Police in the southern region of Brazil are actively seeking the head of a 65-year-old woman who was brutally murdered and dismembered.

The victim, Brasília Costa, met her tragic end at the hands of her 66-year-old partner, Ricardo Jardim, in Porto Alegre, the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul. The investigation into her murder commenced when her torso was discovered inside a suitcase at the city’s bus station on August 20. Jardim was apprehended in September, with authorities alleging that the crime occurred on August 9. Prosecutors believe the motive behind the heinous act was financial, as Jardim allegedly attempted to utilize Ms. Costa’s credit cards.

Jardim, who works as an advertising executive, had previously served a 28-year prison term starting in 2018 for the murder of his mother, whose body he concealed in concrete. He was released in 2024 under a semi-open prison arrangement.

Mario Souza, the lead investigator, expressed optimism about locating the victim’s missing head, as reported by local news outlet G1. Despite the challenges each passing day brings, Souza affirmed their commitment to finding it. Notably, Jardim will not be enlisted to aid in the search due to his history of providing misleading information that impeded prior investigations.

In a misleading turn, Jardim misled authorities by claiming he disposed of the victim’s head in a bin near the Usina do Gasômetro area, leading to searches of local landfills yielding no results. The Public Defender’s Office, representing Jardim, has opted to reserve comments for court proceedings.

Even if the victim’s head remains unrecovered in the near future, law enforcement intends to conclude the investigation and formally charge Jardim with murder, according to G1 reports.

Police detailed that Jardim initially discarded parts of the victim’s body on August 13 in an unmonitored section in the East Zone of Porto Alegre. Subsequently, on August 20, Jardim allegedly left a suitcase at the busy bus station before venturing to the North Zone, where he visited a commercial establishment and lodged at an inn. Surveillance footage identified him removing his mask at the bus station.

The victim’s torso was unearthed by station personnel on September 1, while her legs were subsequently located in separate areas in the city’s South Zone on September 6 and 7.

Forensic analyses are underway to compile reports for submission to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.