Gardai were questioning a suspect last night after this young librarian was beaten to death and strangled in her own home – just hours into the New Year.
Sources have also told The Mirror that Bruna Fonseca (28) was attacked shortly after she returned to her Cork City apartment following a night out celebrating New Year’s.
“She had been out with friends and when she came home she was attacked and killed,” a source said last night.
READ MORE: Woman found dead in Cork named as 28-year-old Bruna Fonseca
Ms Fonseca – who was from Brazil and had only come to Ireland last September for a new life – and posted images of herself and pals celebrating the New Year on her social media pages shortly before she was killed.
Although gardai officially said the death was suspicious, our sources have confirmed officers are satisfied she was murdered.
Ms Fonseca, who was from Formiga in Minais Gerais in Brazil was working as a contract cleaner at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork city.
She was a qualified librarian and a graduate of the Centro Universitário de Formiga. It is understood she had been living in Ireland since September.
In August, she took to Facebook to ask for help in securing accommodation for herself and ger partner Miller as they prepared to start a life together in Cork,
She said: “I'm looking for a double room in Cork. I'm moving to Cork in September with my boyfriend.
“We're going to study English and work. I'm 28 years old, I'm a librarian.
“We are a quiet, clean and organised couple.
“We adapt easily. We like dogs, gym/sports.
“Our budget is €1000 a month but could be flexible for the right place. Thank you in advance.”
The emergency services and gardai attended the scene at 6.30am today (Sun). Ms Fonseca was found unresponsive and was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. Gardai had met a man outside the flat and he had taken them to a bedroom in the flat over Picasso Hair Studio on 5 Liberty Street in the city centre.
CPR was carried out on Ms Fonseca but efforts to resuscitate her were to no avail and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The rented flat is within metres of the Washington Street courthouse and near Cork city centre.
A man was subsequently arrested. He remains in garda custody at the Bridewell Station in Cork city. He is being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and can be detained for up to twenty four hours from the time of his arrest.
The body of Ms Fonseca was removed from the scene at lunchtime yesterday. (Sunday ) Her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a post mortem examination which was conducted by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster. The results have not been released for operational reasons.
The scene was sealed off for a full technical and forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau. Efforts will be made to track the last known movements of the deceased. Door to door inquiries will be carried out and CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed. The area is home to a number of businesses so gardai will be able to access footage which could assist them in their investigation.
Meanwhile, locals and passers by expressed shock about the passing of the young woman. One elderly man said it was a "dreadful start to the New Year."
"What is the world coming to? The world has gone mad. That is so sad."
A middle aged man also stopped and said "God have mercy on her soul" when he realised that a young woman had died suspiciously in the area, A number of people also expressed disbelief at what had occurred as they made their way in to mass at nearby St Francis Church.
The investigation in to the death is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and a Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed to liaise with the family of the deceased. Divisional Scenes of Crime officers are continuing to examine the crime scene which remains sealed off.
And Mercy University Hospital, where she worked as a contract cleaner, last night paid tribute to her.
The hospital said in a statement: “On behalf of management and staff at Mercy University Hospital Cork and Bidvest Noonan’s Contract Cleaners we are saddened and shocked at the tragic and unexpected death of Bruna Fonseca.
“Even though she was only working for a short time for the company at the hospital she was considered a hard and diligent worker and an esteemed colleague.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her friends in Cork, and her family and friends in Brazil.
“May she rest in peace.”
A friend also told The Mirror that she was devastated by her killing.
Laiana Gazel said: “It is so sad.
“She arrived in September, and I just remember her saying that her boyfriend was going to arrive in November and she wanted to rent a room for the two of them to be together.
“It was in September! I talked to her about a job.“
Anyone who can assist gardai with their inquiries is asked to contact the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork on 021 4943330. Alternatively, contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
READ NEXT :
Grieving family of murder victim reveal torment of keeping killer behind bars
Irishman proposes to girlfriend on Kilimanjaro 'with no plan B if she said no'
Celebrities attend wedding of Shay Given's sister and Dublin publican in Clare
UK crime agency declares caging of Kinahan lieutenant a major 2022 success
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
