Elizabete Arrabaça and her son Luiz Antonio Garnica are accused of killing his wife Larissa Rodrigues in Brazil earlier this year so he could be with his lover
The mum accused of killing her son’s wife carried out a number of sickening internet searches before the victim’s death.
Both Elizabete Arrabaça and her son, a doctor called Luiz Antonio Garnica, have been charged with the murder of Larissa Rodrigues in March. The pair from Ribeirão Preto in Brazil are accused of killing the pilates instructor in March with rat poison.
Garnica allegedly recruited his mum to help kill his wife so he could keep their flat and be with his lover. The son has also been charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly tampering with the crime scene.
Detectives said they discovered “ways to poison someone” and “rat poison” among Arrabaça’s internet searches. Not long before her death, Larissa had discovered her husband was having an affair and had threatened a divorce.
Prosecutors believe Garnica killed her so he could pursue a relationship with his lover without having to divide up their assets. They say he enlisted the help of his mum, who knew about the affair and was also against a divorce for financial reasons.
Larissa was allegedly given daily doses of poison to weaken her progressively and eventually kill her. It is argued that the mum and son tried to convince her she had developed complications from chronic toxicity.
Prosecutor Marcus Túlio Nicolino said: “Larissa had been gradually poisoned over the course of 10 to 15 days, in smaller doses. But that Friday, she said she intended to see a lawyer on Monday.
“That would’ve marked the end of the relationship and the division of the couple’s shared assets. Elizabete went to the flat and, we believe, gave her another dose — likely a stronger one — because Larissa died in the early hours of the next morning.”
Prosecutors say Garnica and his mother had been feeding her soup laced with rat poison, as well as mystery “medication”. Larissa developed symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Nicolino said: “During one of these bouts of illness, Larissa asked to be taken to hospital, but Luiz Garnica not only refused — he forbade her from going altogether. It was a clear attempt to stop her from seeking proper medical help, choosing instead to call his mother to bring over so-called ‘medicine’.
“In the midst of her agony, Larissa confided that she felt like she was going to die.” According to the formal accusation: “The prospect of having to split their property — especially the couple’s flat — and the financial burden of finding a new place to live or paying out Larissa’s share was a key factor in his decision to eliminate her.
“Luiz’s clear intention to continue his relationship with his lover became undeniable after the crime. Within days, he moved her into the flat he had shared with Larissa.
“And less than a month after the victim’s death, he formally introduced her to his mother, Elizabete, over lunch. His actions show a complete disregard for Larissa’s memory and a chilling coldness in pursuing his own interests at the expense of his wife’s life.”