Daniel Correa murder witnesses contacted to fabricate story
Brazilian media have revealed information regarding the police statements made by the witnesses to the brutal murder of Daniel Correa.
The Brazilian press have brought to light the statements made on the morning of 27 October to police by four witnesses of the events that led to the murder of the former Sao Paulo footballer, Daniel Correa.
Witnesses contradict accused statements
The statements given by the four witnesses contradict the version given by the main suspect, businessman Edison Brittes, his wife Cristiana, and their daughter, Allana, who had declared that Correa left his house in a state of intoxication but walking unaided. According to news outlet Globoesporte, Brittes attempted to speak with some of the eyewitnesses to ensure that their version of events aligned with his.
Based on the reports, the first of these witnesses assured police that Edison left the house - where they were continuing the celebrations for Allana's birthday from the night before - to buy more drink, and returned around 20 minutes later. This witness continued that he did not hear any cries for help but that he saw some people coming down the stairs. He stated that the player, Daniel Correa, had clearly been assaulted, but that Cristiana and Allana did nothing. After five minutes he saw Edison dragging Daniel out of the room, noticing that that player was moving, but not talking. The witness claimed to have seen Edison leave the house with a kitchen knife of about 20 centimetres saying, "kill the man!" He also claims that the alleged murderer prevented him from calling the emergency services.
"I don't want to die. Help!"
The second witness in the report stated that the day after the footballer's death, the Brittes family contacted her to give a version of events that coincided with Edison's statement. She concurred with the first witness that she did not hear Cristiana or Allana telling Edison to stop his assault on Daniel Correa. This witness also says she heard Daniel pleading for help in a desperate voice.
"Somebody help me, I don't want to die. Help!" Correa was said to have shouted as he was taken from the house.
Witnesses contacted to fabricate story
The third witness was also contacted by the defendants to fabricate a version of events:
"Edison spoke and apologised, saying that we should not have seen what we did, and that we should not speak to anyone. 'Let's say that Daniel left the house because the door was open'," relayed the witness, who also stated that he tried to intervene to prevent the attack but was pushed away.
The fourth witness stated that she did not observe any signs of forced entry to Cristiana's bedroom - Brittes insinuated that Correa was trying to rape his wife - and that she saw Edison and two other individuals dragging the footballer out of the house. When outside, she said, they continued to beat and kick him.
Unconfirmed stories have also been circulated that suggest the photos sent via WhatsApp by Correa were a prank, taking advantage of Cristiana lying unconscious on the bed.
The investigation continues.