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Brazil Police Say Motel Bathtub Deaths Were Accidental Heatstroke Tied to Alcohol and Cocaine

Silva's relatives reject the toxicology conclusions, calling for a transparent review.

Overview

  • The couple — military police officer Jeferson Luiz Sagaz, 37, and nail salon owner Ana Carolina Silva, 41 — were found dead in a São José motel bathtub on Aug. 11 after a night out.
  • Scientific Police said both died of heat-induced hyperthermia as part of an exogenous poisoning process that led to organ failure.
  • Civil Police reported the tub water exceeded about 50°C (122°F) and the room heater and ventilation were set high, creating extreme heat conditions.
  • Toxicology detected very high blood alcohol levels and traces of cocaine, which forensic officials said likely impaired defenses to heat by inducing torpor and drowsiness.
  • Investigators ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning, drowning, electric shock, and third-party involvement; police noted no history of violence, and the couple’s four-year-old daughter is in relatives’ care.