Witness indicates that the stepmother suspected of ordering the murder had an “obsession” and “fondness” with the victim’s daughter.

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During the investigation, police interviewed several witnesses who had family relationships or friendships with Lace and Gabriel. They all reported Gabrielle’s obsessive behavior towards the four-year-old girl. A friend of Lace’s said that prior to the relationship with Gabrielle, the victim’s ex-husband had shown no interest in seeing his daughter. After he began his relationship with Gabriel, the relationship became “an obsession for the couple.”

The child’s grandmother also shared the same perception. She testified that Gabrielle developed a “fondness” for the victim’s daughter and that she always wanted to be at the forefront of everything related to the girl, “even more than her father.” According to the grandmother, the same child said that Gabrielle asked her to call her “Mom,” and said that she had two mothers: “My mom, Gabby, and my mom, Lace.”

Another witness, who was in a relationship with Lace, told police the only person the victim had problems with was Gabrielle, who described her as “very controlling and wanted to take care of everything.” He also stated that Gabrielle owned the girl and that she always wanted to show that she could “give more” than her biological mother.

According to the statements, Gabriel sought to control all aspects of the child’s life. She confirmed in her own statement that she helped pay the pension and that she left a credit card with Laís.

Other witnesses also confirmed the differences between the two. Lace’s brother reported that his sister received repeated threats from Gabriel via messages on social media. According to him, the disputes were related to the dispute over custody and cohabitation with the girl, Lace’s daughter from her first marriage. Custody was shared, and the child spent weekends at his father’s house and Gabriel’s house.

Gabrielle’s husband also confirmed that she had “disagreements” with the victim. However, he stated that he had never heard from the woman any “intent to harm Lai.” He also said that the two discussed matters related to “custody and visitation” of the four-year-old girl. In the report to agents, the man said he learned of Lace’s death after Gabrielle received a letter telling her what had happened. He denied any involvement and stated that he “did not hire, solicit or authorize anyone to cause any harm to his former partner.”

On Monday, police arrested two suspects involved in the crime: Eric Santos Maria, who was driving the motorcycle, and Davy de Souza Malto, who opened fire. They confessed to committing the crime before the homicide police station. Kelly Silva De Souza, Davey’s mother, identified her son, who also told neighbors he had killed someone. According to the police, Gabrielle offered R$20,000 to execute the victim.

The camera recorded the last moments

A security camera recorded the last moments of the life of Lais de Oliveira Gomez Pereira, 24, who died while walking with her son in a stroller along Travesa Santa Vitoria, in Sipetiba, in the western region of Rio, last Tuesday. The pictures show the young woman crossing the street with the child shortly before she was shot. The youngest, aged 1 year and 8 months, was not affected.