A mum was brutally stabbed to death by her estranged husband in front of their one-year-old son after he broke into her home and attacked her.
The murder happened in the town of Viana, in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, on Thursday, 29th May.
Administrative assistant Poliana Santos do Vale, 28, was killed in her apartment by her abusive ex, named as 26-year-old Daniel Ribeiro de Oliveira, confessed after the crime and was arrested by police.
Poliana Santos do Vale poses in undated photo. She was stabbed to death by her ex, in front of her son, in Viana, Espirito Santo, Brazil, on May 29, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
Poliana had been separated from Ribeiro de Oliveira for at least a month and had even requested a restraining order, as he had reportedly been violent.
After the split, she tried to rebuild her life and renting a flat where she lived with their one-year-old son.
But Ribeiro de Oliveira, who reportedly could not accept the end of the relationship, went to her new home and broke in.
When Poliana saw him inside, she grabbed a knife to defend herself and managed to wound him
Daniel Ribeiro de Oliveira, 26, poses in undated photo. He was arrested for stabbing his ex, Poliana Santos do Vale, in Viana, Espirito Santo, Brazil, on May 29, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from local media. (Newsflash/NX)
However, he wrestled the knife away and began stabbing her in the back, abdomen and face.
Poliana tried to flee to another room but collapsed.
Even then, while she was already badly injured, he continued to stab her.
Their one-year-old son was present during the attack and witnessed his mother’s murder.
According to the police, after killing Poliana, Ribeiro de Oliveira phoned his brother and confessed to the crime.
The brother went to the scene, saw the horror, and called the emergency services.
Ribeiro de Oliveira was arrested and taken to hospital due to his injuries. The child was placed in the care of relatives.
According to family members, Poliana's own mother was also murdered in similar circumstances.
Chillingly, she had previously confided in others that she feared ending up like her.
A relative of Ribeiro de Oliveira who had grown close to Poliana said: "According to what she told us, her mother died in the same circumstances.
"We kept telling her it wouldn’t happen, because we never imagined it could. It’s torn the family apart."
The relative, who preferred to remain anonymous, added: "We really liked her. She was wonderful – a great mum, very hard-working, did everything for her child.
"She didn’t deserve to die like this."
Ribeiro de Oliveira has been formally charged with aggravated femicide and will be transferred to prison once he is discharged from hospital.
(MJ Leidig/newsX)