Mystery as body of ex-model, 21, found naked in locked apartment

A former model has been found dead on her bed with a pillow over her face in mysterious circumstances.

Dalliene de Cassia Brito Pereira was due to celebrate her 22nd birthday within weeks having recently moved to Sao Paulo in search of a better life working in management.

Since February, she had shared a flat with friend Brunna Ysabelle Gondim, who discovered her dead body at around 6.45am on July 1. Dalliene was found naked with her arms outstretched, bruising on her wrists, and a pillow placed over her face. Brunna said she last saw her flatmate alive at around 9pm the day prior, shortly before she went out clubbing for the night. She arrived home at around 5am, but couldn’t enter the apartment because the door was locked.

She said they only had one key between them and they would leave the door unlocked when alone in the flat, only locking it when they were both at home. Brunna told the police that she could hear noises from inside the apartment while she was trying to get in.

Several neighbours also claimed that they heard loud noises coming from the apartment that night, including a bed creaking and cries for help. Brunna returned to the flat later that morning with the building caretaker who broke down the door. The victim’s body and the apartment key were found inside. The flat showed no signs of a struggle and no one else was there.

The police searched the home for clues, collecting the victim’s mobile phone and the building’s CCTV footage to assist in the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the young woman’s body was taken to a nearby morgue to undergo an autopsy with the results yet to be released.

The police said they are investigating the possibilities that Dalliene was killed or overdosed on drugs found in the flat. Another theory is that she suffered complications after undergoing breast surgery days before.

Investigators are still waiting for the release of the toxicological and sexological tests to help establish the victim’s cause of death.

Host of drugs found inside apartment

A packet of cocaine and a rolled-up banknote were reportedly found in Dalliene’s bedroom. The police also found cannabis and amphetamine in the apartment. Brunna told officers that they both occasionally used recreational drugs.

Dalliene's mother Valéria Alves Brito, 46, said that her daughter was "very happy" following her move to Sao Paulo.

“Her dream was to work for a big company, wearing a formal suit with makeup, being well groomed," she said.

“It’s a lot of pain, I’m torn apart. It feels like my heart has been ripped out. “I feel like I only have my body because my soul left along with my daughter, my angel, my dream, my youngest, my baby.”

Investigations into her death are ongoing.

- Jam Press

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