Story By Marija Stojkoska
News Editor Ajda Ender
A 40-year-old medical student mum has been found stabbed to death inside her apartment, allegedly by her toy boy student lover who had fled with her bank cards.
LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Leticia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues was discovered dead at her home on Rua Campolide in the Do Campo neighbourhood of Barbacena, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, 27th June, after suffering multiple stab wounds across her body.
LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, poses with boyfriend Gustavo Dutra Lima, 24, in undated photo. She was stabbed to death by him in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Emergency crews from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) confirmed her death at the scene, with officers reporting injuries to her head, neck, back, ears and hands.
LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
According to a police report, concern was first raised after a friend was unable to reach Leticia and contacted her ex-husband to check on her wellbeing.
LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
With help from a neighbour, they gained access to the apartment via a balcony, where the ex-husband saw the victim lying on the living room floor before breaking down the front door with others.
LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Investigators said Leticia’s boyfriend, Gustavo Dutra Lima, 24, who is also a medical student, had been at the apartment overnight before leaving the property in the morning.
LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Police stated that the victim was last heard from at around 11.42am on 27th June, after which all contact stopped.
LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Officers said the suspect left the apartment in the morning hours of 28th June, with Leticia’s car later found abandoned in a deserted area near his home.
Military Police added that Lima was later located in Bom Jardim de Minas following a search operation involving specialist intelligence teams.
Gustavo Dutra Lima, 24, poses in undated photo. stabbed LetIcia de Morais Vasconcelos Rodrigues, 40, to death in her apartment on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Barbacena, Brazil. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
He was found in possession of the victim’s bank cards at the time of his arrest, according to investigators.
Friends told police the couple had attended an event the night before the killing and had left together afterwards.
They also reported previous disputes between the pair, with claims that the relationship had been marked by aggressive behaviour and jealousy issues.
Police records show Leticia had previously filed a complaint in February 2026 alleging threats and excessive jealousy from her boyfriend.
Investigators said that when friends attempted to contact the suspect after the killing, he answered a call and appeared calm, claiming he had no knowledge of Leticia’s whereabouts.
He also reportedly told them he was at a property in Carandai, though police searches there failed to locate him.
The Faculty of Medicine in Barbacena, where Leticia was in her final year, issued a statement of condolence following news of her death.
The victim leaves behind two children, one 18 and the other 12 years old, from a previous relationship.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
