Key Facts
- ✓ Valéria Maria Jesus, 33, had her arrest maintained following a custody hearing on January 7.
- ✓ The suspect allegedly stabbed Kelli Amorim Ribeiro, 28, on January 2 in Vitória da Conquista.
- ✓ The crime occurred in front of the victim's 3-year-old son.
- ✓ Police cite jealousy as the main motive, noting the suspect is the current partner of the victim's ex-partner.
- ✓ The suspect was located and arrested in the same neighborhood where the murder took place.
Quick Summary
A custody hearing on Wednesday, January 7, confirmed the arrest of Valéria Maria Jesus, 33, in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. She is accused of murdering Kelli Amorim Ribeiro, 28, on Friday, January 2. The incident occurred inside a residence in the presence of the victim's 3-year-old son.
Police reports indicate that the suspect was the current partner of the victim's ex-partner. The primary motive appears to be jealousy, with reports of a prior argument between the women the night before the murder. Following the attack, the suspect was located and arrested in the same neighborhood. She has since been transferred to the local penal facility and allegedly confessed to the crime.
Custody Hearing and Legal Status
The legal proceedings regarding the arrest of Valéria Maria Jesus moved forward following a custody hearing. The hearing took place on Wednesday, January 7, in the city of Vitória da Conquista. The court decided to maintain the suspect's imprisonment.
Following the hearing, Jesus was transferred to the Conjunto Penal Advogado Nilton Gonçalves. She remains at the disposal of the Justice system. The suspect did not resist arrest and reportedly confessed to the crime to the military police officers who apprehended her.
"As informações que a gente tem é de que a suspeita é a atual companheira do ex-companheiro da vítima. Inclusive, que já havia uma discussão prévia ontem a noite [um dia antes do assassinato]"
— Capitão Isaac Azevedo, 79ª Companhia Independente
Details of the Crime
The fatal attack occurred on Friday, January 2, inside a home in Vitória da Conquista. According to the investigation, Valéria Maria Jesus, 33, attacked Kelli Amorim Ribeiro, 28, with a knife. The violence took place in front of the victim's son, who is 3 years old.
The investigation points to jealousy as the main motivation. The suspect is identified as the current partner of the victim's ex-partner. According to police information, there had been a discussion between the two women the night before the murder. The victim was stabbed and died at the scene.
Police Investigation and Arrest
After isolating the crime scene, military police officers began the search for the suspect. The search led them to the vehicle of Valéria Maria Jesus. Her mother was inside the car and provided information regarding her daughter's location.
Acting on this information, officers found the suspect in a house located in the same neighborhood where the crime occurred. The arrest was made on the same day as the murder. The police investigation was led by Captain Isaac Azevedo, who serves as the chief of operational planning for the 79th Independent Company of the Military Police.
Victim Profile and Community Impact
Kelli Amorim Ribeiro was remembered by her community following her death. She worked as a receptionist at a clinic and was an active member of cycling groups. She was also described as a religious woman who frequented the Igreja Batista Nova Sinai in the Brasil neighborhood.
Her funeral was held on Saturday, January 3, at the church she attended with her family. Neighbors informed reporters that Ribeiro had lived on the street for many years. In contrast, the suspect had reportedly moved to the neighborhood approximately nine months prior. Neighbors also noted that the two women had previously been friends.
