Jessica Stapazzollo had already been attacked by Douglas Reis Pedroso on other occasions; the most serious occurred in April this year, when the man dragged her by her hair on the asphalt
A Brazilian woman was found dead on Tuesday (28) after being stabbed in the city of Castelnuovo del Garda, in the province of Verona, in the north of , where she lived. Her companion, the main suspect, was arrested. According to the Italian newspaper Avvenire, friends of Jessica Stapazzollo, 33, called the police after she spent three days without responding to messages. Upon arriving at the apartment where the young woman lived, the agents found her lifeless.
Jessica was killed with “a disproportionate number” of stab wounds, according to a quote from the Public Prosecutor’s Office released by Avvenire. The main suspect is the victim’s companion, identified as Douglas Reis Pedroso, 41, who is also Brazilian. He was not home when police located the body, but was found hours later and arrested. The knife used in the crime was found in his car, still covered in blood.
According to the Italian newspaper, Jessica lived with Pedroso for about a year and a half. She had already been attacked by him on other occasions – the most serious occurred in April this year, when the man dragged her by her hair on the asphalt and punched her face and neck three times.
After the episode, the Brazilian was forced by the courts to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and prohibited from staying less than 500 meters away from the victim. In December last year, Pedroso was also accused of trying to sexually abuse Jessica’s sister.
The suspect allegedly called the police after Jessica’s death to say he wanted to take his own life. Initial investigations showed that the man consumed alcohol and drugs.
Jessica’s body underwent forensic examination to determine the date and time of death. The Brazilian had a 10-year-old daughter from another relationship. She had lost custody of the girl due to Pedroso’s aggressive episodes.
Data from the Italian Ministry of the Interior shows that at least 80 women have been killed in the country since the beginning of this year – in more than half of the cases, the killer is their partner or ex.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Nátaly Tenório
