‘Digital Influencer’ State Police Officer Killed in Bahia; Suspicion of Femicide

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – State Police officer and “digital influencer” Rafaella Gonçalves, 38, was killed on Monday, October 5th in Ibotirama, in western Bahia state. Femicide is the main suspicion – her husband, also a police officer, allegedly killed Rafaella and committed suicide afterwards. Their bodies were found in their home. The couple had two daughters, aged three and seven. They were not injured.

With over 70,000 followers, the police officer was known to publish details of her routine in the fight against crime on Instagram. She also used to post pictures in which she posed carrying guns or videos of her training her marksmanship.

According to police reports, the crime occurred at about 12:30 PM. No details were disclosed about the weapons used. The accused, soldier Edson Salvador Ferreira de Carvalho, worked for the Independent Specialized Policing. Rafaella, also a police officer, was with the 28th Precinct in Ibotirama.

Early Monday evening, dozens of Ibotirama residents paid tribute to the police officer in the courtyard of the 28th Precinct. They brought flowers, posters and balloons for the farewell. They also offered prayers and speeches about Rafaella.

“When a woman dies, a little of all the other women die along with her. Femicide is a barbaric crime that occurs mostly in our home, with whom we join our lives,” said Major Denice Santiago, a candidate for the Salvador City Hall and creator of the Maria da Penha Round in Bahia.

State deputy Olívia Santana (PCdoB), also a candidate for the Salvador mayoralty, lamented the death of the police officer on behalf of the Women’s Rights Commission of the Legislative Assembly of Bahia.

A recent survey by the Brazilian Public Safety Forum showed an increase in the rates of femicide. The malicious deaths, when there is intent to kill, hiked 7.1 percent in May – from 127 in 2019 to 136 in 2020.

Source: Folhapress