A Brazilian businesswoman was killed by her estranged husband, a former mayor, after the couple met at a law office to sign divorce papers.
Icicléia Alves Veloso, 41, died on June 4, one day after she was shot during a meeting in Ourilândia do Norte, a city in the northern Brazilian state of Pará, according to local reports.
Her estranged husband, 69-year-old Romilson Veloso e Silva, was also found dead at the scene. Police are investigating the case as femicide followed by suicide, according to reports.
Veloso e Silva had served four terms as mayor of the city and was working as a councilman at the time of the killing.
The couple had reportedly been separated for three months, but investigators said the former politician did not accept the end of the relationship.
After apparently agreeing to move forward with the divorce, the two met at a law office on June 3. While there, Veloso e Silva allegedly asked his lawyer to leave him and Icicléia alone for a brief moment.
Moments later, gunshots rang out inside the room.
Security footage reviewed by investigators reportedly showed Veloso e Silva approaching Icicléia from behind as she sat in a chair before shooting her in the head.
Icicléia was still seated and alive when emergency crews found her, according to reports. She was rushed to a local hospital, but died from her injuries the next day.
After shooting Icicléia, Veloso e Silva reportedly went into a bathroom inside the law office and shot himself.
Icicléia leaves behind three children.
The shocking killing has drawn attention to the dangers many women face while trying to leave abusive or controlling relationships, especially when a partner refuses to accept a separation.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
