A Brazilian businesswoman was gunned down by her estranged husband after the pair met at a law office to sign divorce papers, according to local reports.
Icicléia Alves Veloso, 41, died on June 4, one day after she was shot inside a law office in Ourilândia do Norte, a city in the northern Brazilian state of Pará. Her estranged husband, 69-year-old Romilson Veloso e Silva, was found dead at the scene in what police are investigating as femicide followed by suicide.
Romilson was a former mayor of Ourilândia do Norte and had served four terms in office. At the time of the killing, he was reportedly working as a city councilman.
The couple had been separated for about three months, but Romilson allegedly refused to accept that the marriage was over.
According to reports from Brazilian outlets, the former mayor appeared to agree to move forward with the divorce and met Icicléia at a law office on June 3 to sign the paperwork. But once they were there, he allegedly asked his lawyer to step out so he could have a brief moment alone with his wife.
Moments later, gunshots erupted inside the room.
Investigators reviewed security footage that reportedly showed Romilson approaching Icicléia from behind as she sat in a chair before shooting her in the head.
When help arrived, Icicléia was reportedly still seated and alive. She was rushed to a local hospital, but she died from her injuries the following day.
Romilson then went into the office bathroom and fatally shot himself, according to reports.
Icicléia was known as a successful businesswoman in Ourilândia do Norte. She leaves behind three children.
Police are continuing to investigate the case as another shocking example of deadly domestic violence after a woman tried to leave a relationship.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
