Ana Carolina Silva, 41, and Jeferson Luiz Sagaz, 37, from Brazil, were found dead inside a motel after sitting in a bath with temperatures of 50C. Their family have suspicions around their deaths
A couple suffered a tragic death after they were found lifeless in a boiling hot bathtub just after celebrating their daughter’s birthday.
Parents Jeferson Luiz Sagaz, 37, and Ana Carolina Silva, 41, were discovered dead inside a motel room on August 11. Medics concluded that they had died from a series of issues including heatstroke and organ failure. Concerns were raised for the pair after their family reported them missing when they didn’t pick up their daughter.
It comes after they enjoyed her fourth birthday at a food park and then headed to a nightclub. According to reports, they dropped their child off at Jeferson’s sister’s house and then checked into their accomodation, the Dallas Motel in São José, Brazil shortly after midnight.
Police launched a missing persons investigation and found them dead inside the bathroom. Investigators said that Jeferson, who is a military police officer, and Ana Carolina, a nail salon owner, had passed out in 50C water while a space heater was on.
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According to local news outlet Globo G1, a toxicology report found very high alcohol levels and traces of cocaine. A total of 16 forensic tests carried out by the Civil Police ruled out possible causes of death including electric shock, drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning or foul play. As part of the investigation, officers had examined the motel room, the couple’s car and studied CCTV images.
Brazil’s Chief Medical Examiner Andressa Boer Fronza said: “The cause of both deaths was exogenous poisoning, favouring the process of heatstroke with intense dehydration, thermal collapse, culminating in organ failure and death.”
Chief of Police Felipe Simão Gomes said: “These circumstances, combined with the substances found on the bodies, led the Civil Police to conclude that the cause of death was sudden and not due to third-party intervention.” Jefferson and Ana Carolina had been together for almost 20 years and were described by friends as devoted parents and sociable. There was no history of violence, police said.
The family of Ana Carolina rejected claims she was a habitual drug user, raising concerns she could have been forced to ingest cocaine. “It may be that the physical constitution, both his and hers, were not compatible with the use of a substance like that, especially when combined with alcohol,” said Chief Simão.