Corpse in bank branch: elderly man was discharged the day before being taken to the bank in RJ, says niece

Érika de Souza Vieira Nunes, 42, who was arrested last night (16) after take the corpse of uncle Paulo Roberto Braga, aged 68, to try to carry out a looting related to a loan at a bank branch in the neighborhood of Bangu, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro, said in testimony that the elderly man was discharged from hospital the day before he died.

According to the woman's report to the police, in addition to being a niece, she would be the elderly man's caregiver. In her statement, she said that approximately a week ago, Paulo felt unwell at home and was rescued and treated at the Emergency Care Unit, in Bangu.

Erika said that the elderly man was hospitalized for approximately five days treating pneumonia. Last Monday (15), according to the woman's statement, the elderly man would have been under her care, which was usual, as they are both neighbors.

The version given by Erika to the police indicates that when he arrived home, Paulo said that he took out a loan of R$17,000 on March 25th and that the withdrawal of the amount was pending.

Television purchase and renovation

Erika also said during testimony that Uncle Paulo “showed a desire to withdraw the money, as he wanted to buy a television and carry out renovations at his residence”, according to the document.

Following her uncle's supposed wish, the following day (16), Erika took him to the bank branch to withdraw the loan. She said Paulo was weak but conscious when he arrived at the agency.

At the scene, during the story, the woman noticed that her uncle stopped responding and tried to wake him up, but without success. What was seen next were recordings and images of the elderly man already dead at the scene. A doctor determined that death had occurred at least two hours earlier.

Woman takes dead person to withdraw R$17,000 from bank | CNN PRIME TIME

Érika must answer for attempted theft through fraud and vilification of a corpse. “If it is determined that the cause of death was not natural, a homicide investigation will be opened.”

What the defense says

Lawyer Ana Carla de Souza Correa, who represents Érika, says that the events did not happen as they were told and that everything was explained to the police.

“Mr. Paulo Roberto Braga arrived at the banking unit alive, and there are witnesses who will also be heard at the appropriate time. This entire procedural part will be duly assessed by the competent court,” he stated.

The defense claims that the woman is “shaken” by what happened. “She is a worthy lady, who has a special daughter who needs her. She is also someone who has always taken great care of Mr. Paulo. So all this will be clarified and we believe in Mrs. Erika’s innocence,” she says.

Still according to the lawyer, Érika reaffirmed that the elderly man arrived at the scene alive and began to feel ill there. According to the defense, he had been hospitalized a few days before and had a delicate health condition. However, the lawyer did not say what these health problems were.