Prison officer arrested on suspicion of feminicide in Cajamar following teacher's death
Aline Bugni, 31, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in her home. Her husband, a prison officer, claims suicide; police investigate feminicide.
Prison officer investigated in death of wife in Cajamar
As reported by g1.globo.com, prison officer Felipe Bugni, 40 years old, was arrested on a flagrant basis on Sunday night (27th) following the death of his wife, teacher Aline Bugni, 31 years old, in Cajamar, in the São Paulo metropolitan area. Aline was found lying in the couple's bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head. A firearm was located beneath the bed.
Felipe was detained not on direct suspicion of homicide — the death was recorded as "suspicious death" — but for assaulting and threatening Aline's brother and father at the location. The primary hypothesis being investigated by the Civil Police is feminicide.
"He had a possessive jealousy of her"
Tiago Santos, 36 years old, Aline's brother, gave a statement to the Civil Police and TV Globo describing his brother-in-law's behaviour. "He had a possessive jealousy of her. Even when she arrived home from work, he would go to the bus stop to pick her up. He is abusive, he is a quarrelsome guy. He has already fought with the entire street, he has already threatened everyone on the street," Tiago stated.
Family members reported that Aline had already expressed a desire to separate due to Felipe's aggressive behaviour, but was afraid to make that decision. "She would not leave him because she was afraid of dying. And it happened. Unfortunately it happened," said her brother. According to him, Felipe also prevented Aline from maintaining contact with her own family.
"My sister always valued life. My sister, she worked, she loved her daughter," Tiago added. The relatives categorically denied that the teacher had any intention of taking her own life.
Suspect's account and forensic investigation
At the police station, Felipe claimed that his wife took her own life with one of the two firearms he kept in the residence. He stated that he was in another room when he heard a noise and found Aline lying down and bleeding. The prison officer remained silent about his wife's death during questioning, but denied having committed psychological violence and said he maintained a good relationship with her.
When agents arrived at the property, Felipe stated that he wanted to kill himself with the firearm that was under the bed, being restrained by police officers. The suspect's defence had not made a statement by the time of publication.
To confirm or rule out the feminicide hypothesis, the investigation is awaiting the results of forensic examinations. The Forensics Institute (IC) carried out residue testing to check for gunpowder on Felipe's hands and Aline's. The Medical Examiner's Office (IML) conducted a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. Two pistols belonging to the prison officer were seized, as well as two mobile phones for analysis.
Child was in the house at the time of the shot
The couple's 6-year-old daughter was also in the residence when the shot was fired. According to the incident report, the child did not witness the event, but heard the noise, entered the bedroom and found her mother dead. She then called her maternal grandfather, José dos Santos, 65 years old, who lives in a house on the same property. It was José who alerted the authorities.
Incidents earlier in the night of the crime
Hours before Aline's death, José had already called the Municipal Civil Guard (GCM). He reported that Felipe had sprayed pepper spray against the door and window of his residence. The guards attended the address, advised those involved and left.
Subsequently, José stated that he heard his son-in-law tell Aline and her daughter that he would give them "the worst nightmares of your life". Felipe then turned the sound up to a loud volume. Shortly after, his granddaughter went to her grandfather to inform him that her mother was dead.
Assaults after the death
After the authorities were called, Tiago and José reported being punched in the face by Felipe whilst Police Military officers were still present at the property. "He hit a man of nearly 70 years old. I ask that justice be done. It is not because he is a police officer that he is better than anyone," Tiago told TV Globo.
Aline's brother also stated that he and his father were threatened with death by Felipe. According to Tiago, the prison officer used phrases such as "I'm going to kill you, you scum" and "I don't want this scum in my house".
Felipe gave a different account of the assaults on his father-in-law. He stated that José called him a murderer and assaulted him first, and that he only retaliated. He also denied having threatened him.
Detention maintained without bail
The Civil Police did not set bail for Felipe. According to the order, the sum of the sentences for the crimes caught in flagrante exceeds four years of imprisonment. The charge of feminicide depends on the conclusion of forensic reports, which have not yet been released.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo