Nora is being investigated for manslaughter in the death of her 79-year-old mother-in-law who was shot in the head

After remaining hospitalized for 13 days in a public hospital, Carmelinda Ramos dos Santos, aged 79, lost the battle she was fighting for her life. The elderly woman had been shot in the head, on April 20, inside the house where she lived, in the Porto da Roça neighborhood, in Saquarema, in the Lagos Region. According to the police, the victim was shot when she tried to take a revolver from the hands of her daughter-in-law Dionísia Madeira de Sousa, 49. After the shot, the suspect left the place without helping her mother-in-law.

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The crime happened around 9pm. The elderly woman was removed by a Fire Department ambulance to the Porfírio Nunes de Azevedo Municipal Hospital, but due to the seriousness of her health condition, she was transferred to the Nossa Senhora de Nazareth Municipal Hospital. She underwent an eight-hour surgery and was admitted to the unit’s Intensive Care Center, where she died this Thursday. According to delegate André Bueno, from the 124th DP (Saquarema), responsible for investigating the case, Dionísia is responsible for the crime of culpable homicide (when there is no intention to kill). When interviewed twice at the police station, the victim’s daughter-in-law claimed that the shooting occurred accidentally. The suspect also said she left the scene of the crime without helping her mother-in-law for fear of being attacked. She said she took the gun from her husband, who is the elderly woman’s son, because he threatened her with aggression. The incident reportedly occurred after an argument involving the couple. He then took the revolver to Carmelinda’s house, located in the same backyard as Dionísia’s residence. According to the latter’s version, the shot occurred when the two were fighting for possession of the weapon.

— We have already collected the murder weapon, which has been sent for forensic examination. The initial examination confirmed that there was a single shot. We are opening a police investigation to indict Dionísia for manslaughter and her husband for illegal possession of a firearm — said the delegate.

The police will also try to check the origin of the weapon, which would have been purchased by the elderly woman’s son from a man who is said to be a former police officer. Sought by Extra to talk about the elderly woman’s death, the victim’s family said they did not agree with the accidental shooting version. According to Vera Ramos, 56, daughter of Carmelinda, her mother was in fragile health. She suffered a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) about a year ago and had difficulty moving around.

— We don’t believe in accidental shooting. My mother was in no condition to fight anyone. She was recovering from a stroke and used a cane to support herself and walk. She had been like this for a year and was even undergoing physiotherapy. We want justice so that the case does not become a statistic – said Vera.

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Regarding Dionísia’s husband, his family claimed it was not true that the man had threatened his wife with aggression. And that he is unable to talk about the subject because he is emotionally shaken. Described by relatives as an evangelical woman who lived for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and who loved watching culinary programs on television, Carmelinda is expected to be buried, this Saturday, at the Sampaio Correa Cemetery, in Saquarema. She leaves three children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Also contacted, Dionísia’s defense team, made up of lawyers Sandro Rocha and Frederick Oliveira, issued a statement stating that they believed in the version presented by the client at the police station. The document also says that Dionísia is supported by a project that defends victims of domestic violence and that she has already removed her belongings from the residence where the couple lived.