Video shows a couple exchanging a kiss in an elevator in the final, chilling image before the man was found dead in his apartment.
Luiz Ormond was found dead in his flat in Rio de Janeiro on May 20 when neighbours called police due to a foul smell coming from the residence.Read More
Ormond’s body was found lying on a sofa in the living room with a mark on the head consistent with a head injury.
The body was in an advanced state of decomposition when investigators found it, and an autopsy has not yet revealed the cause of death.
A medical examiner who carried out the autopsy found traces of chocolate in his digestive tract.
Investigators suspect that Ormond died after consuming a poisoned brigadeiro, a popular Brazilian dessert which includes chocolate in the recipe.
Ormond’s partner Júlia Cathermol is a suspect in the case, with authorities believing it may have been her who poisoned the dessert.
Speaking to authorities, neighbours said that they had last seen the pair together on May 17, three days before Ormond’s body was discovered.
CCTV footage from a camera in the elevator showed the pair exchanging a kiss in the elevator.
The elevator stopped at a floor and a woman got in, who the pair chatted with before exiting the elevator.
While in there, Cathermol had been holding a bottle, while Ormond was holding a wrapped plate.
Authorities believe that this plate may have contained the poisoned brigadeiros.
On May 19, further CCTV footage shows Cathermol leaving the building to go to the gym before returning to the apartment.
Cathermol’s friend Suyane Breschak was later arrested amid evidence that she assisted Cathermol with disposing of Ormond’s belongings.
This included selling a car which Breschak claimed had been to settle a debt of around $115,000 that Cathermol had owed her.
Prior to this, Breschak said that Cathermol had been paying her around $960 a month.
Cathermol reportedly called Breschak and informed her that Ormond was dead.
She allegedly added that she had had to wrap his body in bed sheets and turn on the fans as ‘it was really stinking’.
Breschak went on to say that Cathermol had told her that she had cleaned the apartment with bleach, and that vultures had started appearing at the window.
Authorities believe that Cathermol had stayed in the apartment with Ormond’s decomposing body until May 20.
On that date she was seen leaving the flat carrying suitcases, and is currently being sought by police.
The investigation continues.
