Victim was released from hospital but readmitted a week later, eventually dying from a widespread infection
PJ police have arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of causing the death of his 26-year-old ex-girlfriend whom he attacked with a knife in Lagoa.
In a statement published on Tuesday, the criminal police force announced that the man was detained following an arrest warrant for qualified homicide issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Portimão.
The attack happened in Lagoa on June 15 when Joana Nascimento was inside her car.
“The suspect, unable to accept the end of a romantic relationship, surprised her and attacked her with a sharp weapon, causing injuries to her neck,” PJ police say.
According to SIC, the man is believed to have told her: “If you’re not mine, you’re not anyone else’s”.
Despite being wounded, the victim “managed to flee the scene and seek help” at a commercial establishment, eventually being taken to Portimão Hospital, where she received medical assistance.
Joana Nascimento was discharged from the hospital on the same day, but was readmitted a week later to the same hospital and subsequently airlifted to the Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon, where she eventually died “due to a widespread infection caused by the injuries suffered,” the statement says.
The man has been remanded in custody while the investigation of this case is being conducted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Portimão, the police statement adds.
SIC points out that the suspect denied any involvement in the crime and even offered to cooperate with the authorities in the search for the actual perpetrator of the crime.
Portugal has a free, 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence: 800 202 148. It is anonymous and confidential.
