A court has been informed that a young woman from Brazil, who had relocated to Ireland in pursuit of a better life, was reportedly strangled to death by her former boyfriend during a visit to his apartment. Bruna Fonseca, a 28-year-old university graduate, was discovered deceased at an apartment in Cork city center on January 1, 2023. Her ex-partner, Miller Pacheco, aged 31, has denied the charge of murder. According to the prosecution, Bruna had moved to Ireland in 2022 seeking improved prospects.
The court learned that both Bruna and Pacheco, who came from the same small town in Brazil, had previously been in a relationship but had separated, with Bruna seemingly moving forward with her life. Bruna had arrived in Ireland with her niece Maria in September 2022 and had secured employment as a cleaner at Mercy University Hospital in the city. Pacheco joined her in Ireland in November 2022 and found work at a restaurant in McCurtain Street, as reported by Cork Beo.
Despite being in a new relationship, Bruna and Pacheco maintained some level of contact. Pacheco reportedly inundated Bruna with numerous text messages, with Bruna eventually expressing her desire for him to cease communication by December 20, 2022. The court was informed that during a Christmas Eve gathering at Bruna’s cousin’s home in Cork, Pacheco appeared fixated on her. Later, on New Year’s Eve, Bruna visited Pacheco’s flat around 3am to make a video call to her family to see their dog.
Approximately ninety minutes later, residents in the vicinity heard intense screams, described as chaotic and incoherent. The commotion was audible to people at a nearby restaurant and a priest at the Franciscan friary. Evidence presented in court included a call from Pacheco to a friend at 5.15am on January 1, 2023, in which he made a remorseful statement. When asked about Bruna, Pacheco displayed the lifeless body of a woman on the bed beside him.
Following a report from a member of the public, the authorities visited the flat around 6am but received no response. Shortly after, two of Bruna’s friends, who had heard the disturbance, encountered Pacheco outside the flat holding a bed sheet, which he later discarded. When questioned about Bruna’s demise, Pacheco denied any involvement. Subsequently, the police revisited the scene, confirmed Bruna’s death, and engaged Pacheco in further discussions.
Pacheco alleged that an anxiety attack led to an altercation in the apartment, during which Bruna struck him, prompting him to inadvertently apply pressure around her neck while attempting to restrain her. He claimed the incident was a result of a physical struggle, asserting that his actions were not intended to cause harm. However, a post-mortem examination conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Dr. Margaret Bolster revealed that Bruna’s death resulted from asphyxiation.
Pacheco, a former engineer in Brazil, is receiving support from a Portuguese interpreter during the court proceedings. Family members of Bruna have traveled to Ireland to attend the trial.
