A concerned neighbor’s report of a peculiar smell emanating from an apartment in Rio de Janeiro has unraveled into one of the country’s most enigmatic tragedies.
Residents of the tranquil Barra da Tijuca district contacted firefighters due to a potent, unfamiliar odor coming from one of the units. Upon forcing their way inside, emergency personnel discovered a harrowing scene that has profoundly impacted both the local community and online audiences.
Inside the apartment, they found the bodies of 33-year-old model and influencer Lidiane Aline Lorenço and her 15-year-old daughter, Miana Sophya Santos.
The two had not been seen for several days and were discovered in different rooms: Miana in the living room and Lidiane in a bedroom.
Once discovered earlier this month, police confirmed that there were no signs of violence, stating, “A forensic examination was conducted at the scene and found no evidence of assault.”
The case quickly gained traction on the internet, particularly because Lorenço was prominent on Instagram, where she posted glimpses of her life as a model and medical student in Rio.
Subsequent developments have made the mystery even more perplexing.
According to new information released by The Mirror US, the post-mortem examination has added layers of complexity to the case.
Rodrigo Moulin, the family’s lawyer, informed Brazilian outlet G1: “(The forensic examination) actually raises more questions, because the police are cautious. They don’t want to rule anything out.
“This examination definitely brings up more issues for the case.”
Following three hours of forensic analysis, Moulin mentioned that the only definitive finding was that the apartment’s gas system did not comply with regulations.
He elaborated: “The heater is installed in a completely irregular manner and the gas outlet from the chimney is inside the apartment itself.”
This discovery has prompted police to consider several theories, including potential gas poisoning, although no conclusions have been reached.
Moulin added: “The police aren’t ruling out any hypotheses yet. Other possibilities have been raised, such as food-related causes, so we have to wait for the forensic results.
“It’s still inconclusive.”
Both the mother and daughter reportedly had existing health conditions; Lidiane had thrombophilia, which can result in blood clots, while Miana suffered from haemophilia, affecting the blood’s clotting capability.
Investigators also observed that Miana’s body seemed to be in a more advanced stage of decomposition, indicating she might have passed away first.
As of now, authorities assert that the death certificate will be crucial in determining precisely what transpired in the apartment on that day.