A 36-year-old woman was rescued alive inside a cemetery niche in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, where she was locked up for about ten hours, police told AFP on Thursday.
Gravediggers at the Visconde do Rio Branco municipal cemetery alerted authorities after identifying traces of blood Tuesday and that one of the vertical niches was covered with bricks and fresh cement.
When going to the cemetery, "the agents heard cries for help, broke the brick wall and pulled out the woman, who had head injuries and several cuts on her body," police said in a statement.
The rescued womanMilitary Police Minas Gerais
On Thursday she remained hospitalized, but her health condition showed an "improvement", reported the G1 portal that cited a medical source.
Investigators estimate that the victim was placed in the grave the night before, and that she spent about ten hours locked in the burial niche.
Two suspects, aged 20 and 22, are wanted by authorities. Commissioner Diego Candian Alves, in charge of the case, said it may be "revenge" by members of a criminal group in a dispute over weapons and drugs.
The woman told investigators she was assaulted and abducted by two hooded individuals who invaded her home. Her husband, who was with her and also suffered aggressions, managed to escape, according to the woman, who from there only remembers waking up inside the tomb.
According to The Trust Project criteria
Learn more
- Brazil