Pregnant mum, 21, found dead with 'unborn baby cut from womb'

A young woman who was eight months pregnant has died after her baby was cut from her womb.

Pamella Ferreira Andrade Martins, 21, was found dead at her home in the neighbourhood of Nova Holanda in the Brazilian municipality of Macae on the afternoon of March 17.

A family member, who wished to remain anonymous, told local media the victim was found inside a locked bathroom and the door had to be broken down.

The 21-year-old's butchered body was found lying inside, with her belly ripped open and her unborn baby missing.

A 22-year-old woman, whose identity has not been revealed, was arrested when she was admitted to hospital after checking into a nearby emergency department carrying the dead baby.

The woman told medical staff she had given birth to the baby boy herself and had fallen down the stairs with him, according to reports. But tests proved she had not been pregnant.

• Mystery deepens after woman vanishes from yacht in Caribbean

• Boy, 1, ‘fighting for life’ after being shot in the head by police

• Outrage over police officer's three-word remark on spa massacre

A knife and penknife were allegedly found in her handbag, local media also reported.

According to police, the suspect had allegedly been pretending to be pregnant and was seen in the victim's company the day before the crime.

The victim's relatives told police the suspect allegedly said she "would get herself a child whatever it takes".

But they did not believe she was capable of committing such a crime.

The young mum leaves behind a husband and a two-year-old son.

Police are investigating the case and an autopsy will be carried out to determine the baby's cause of death.

– Australscope

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.