Brazilian model Larissa Brito (25) was found dead with stab wounds in a vehicle driven by her former partner near Brignoles, France, on 21 September.
Her mother said Brito had sent a message from Nice the previous day saying, 'Mathieu is here.' French authorities later placed the 29-year-old former partner, identified in reports as Mathieu, under formal investigation for 'murder by an ex-partner.'