A BRAZILIAN bodybuilder who allegedly beat her wife to death and claimed she accidentally fell has now been arrested.
Brutal Igor Porto Galvao beat her wife Marcela Luise so badly that she went into a coma – and had to be admitted to an intensive unit.
NewsflashIgor Porto Galvao posing with her wife Marcela Luise after winning a bodybuilding competition[/caption]
The bodybuilder has now been arrested and is awaiting a criminal investigationmediadrumimages
Marcela was rushed to the hospital with traumatic injuries, but Igor claimed she accidentally fell at home while cleaning.
She was admitted unconscious in the intensive care unit at Santa Monica Hospital Brazil – and had severe brain injuries, broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade and bruises all over her face and body.
The mum struggled in pain for more than a week before losing her fight for life on Monday night.
While Igor said her injuries were a result of an accident, they were found to be inconsistent with a fall by the post-mortem report.
Cops even discovered that the house where the couple lived did not have stairs or any other slopes that would cause her to have such a devastating fall.
They said in a statement: “We initiated an investigation and found that the victim had multiple injuries, including head trauma to the right and left sides and base of the skull, eight broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, abrasions on the thighs, mouth and eyes, among others.”
Further investigation found the muscleman’s history of domestic violence against Marcela as well as an ex-partner.
He has also been described as a man with an “explosive and aggressive temperament” who often fought with people around.
Bruna Coelho, the chief of police, said: “[Igor] told the medical team she was cleaning the house when she slipped and fell.
“According to him, she suffered convulsions and the injuries were caused by the fall.
“He said he gave her a bath and took her to hospital, where she was immediately taken to the operating theatre for surgery before being transferred to an intensive care unit.”
Fernanda Paula Miranda, the victim’s aunt, told a Brazilian TV station: “She didn’t work and he controlled her.
“He often told her she wasn’t a good mum, that she didn’t know how to do anything, insulted her and humiliated her.”
The bodybuilder even made a sick tribute on social media stating that he “missed” his wife while she was still in a coma.
He wrote: “The longing and anguish that never ends. You have to come back soon.”
Authorities have arrested Igor who is now awaiting a criminal investigation.
How you can get help
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
Always keep your phone nearby.
Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
If you are in danger, call 999.
Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
