43 years old, investigated in the case that investigates the death of Joyce, from Acre, was arrested by the Federal Police in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The arrest occurred in compliance with a preventive arrest warrant issued by the Court of Justice of Minas Gerais as part of an investigation into domestic violence.
The court order is related to the investigation of the crime of disclosing a rape scene, sex or pornography, allegedly committed in the context of domestic and family violence against women, as provided for in . The arrest was made on February 13, and the suspect was sent to the Regional Superintendency of the Federal Police in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte.
According to the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais, the precautionary measure was enacted to ensure the application of criminal law. According to the agency, Thiago was not located for personal summons and, after being summoned by notice, he did not present a statement nor appointed a lawyer in the process.
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The Rio Grande do Norte Court only acted to comply with the court decision, since the main case is being processed in Minas Gerais. Until the last update, the person being investigated remained in custody in the state, at the disposal of the Minas Gerais Judiciary.
The Acre Civil Police reported that the arrest does not change the progress of investigations underway in the state related to the Joyce Case, which remain under judicial secrecy.
Hearing scheduled in Itabira
Before the arrest, the Itabira Court had scheduled an investigation hearing for May 7, 2026 in another case in which Thiago is responsible for disobedience and false identification. The episode occurred on December 17, 2024, during a police investigation in the Barreiro neighborhood, in Itabira.
On that occasion, civil police officers went to the address of the person being investigated to deliver a subpoena linked to the case involving Joyce. During the action, his cell phone and vehicle were seized. The car was related to a search and seizure warrant issued by the Acre Court.
As these were infractions of lesser offensive potential, a detailed statement was drawn up, and the person being investigated undertook to appear before the Special Criminal Court.
The Joyce Case
Joycilene Sousa de Araújo died on November 17, 2024, at the Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of Acre, after cardiac arrest resulting from taking controlled medications a week earlier. The family disputes the version that it was just a self-inflicted death and maintains that there was a context of psychological and patrimonial violence.
Family members attribute conduct to Thiago that includes inducing suicide, in addition to financial losses estimated at around R$200,000. He denies the accusations and, in previous statements to the press, stated that he was the target of slander and defamation.
Days before her death, Joyce had contacted the Specialized Women’s Assistance Police Station to request a protective measure and seek the return of a vehicle valued at approximately R$100,000, purchased in her name. According to the family, the car was purchased in this modality because the person being investigated would receive social security benefits, which would have prevented the purchase from being formalized in his name.
The case gained repercussion after mobilization on social media and began to be monitored by the Public Ministry of Acre. More than a year after the manager’s death, the family says they continue to seek clarification and accountability.
With information from G1AC
