Brazilian influencer Ana Karoline de Sousa Rocha, 27, known online as Karol Belchior, was allegedly stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend after returning home from a party. The attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 4, in the Diadema neighbourhood of Horizonte, part of the Greater Fortaleza area in Ceará, Brazil.
Details of the Attack
Karol, who had a social media following of more than 500,000 and worked as a gym receptionist, had ended her relationship with 26-year-old Francisco Jardson just days before the incident, according to reports. On Friday night, July 3, she attended a local party in the Queimadas area. Her ex-boyfriend reportedly spotted her there and became jealous, but instead of confronting her at the venue, he allegedly drove to her home and lay in wait.
Police believe Jardson ambushed Karol at her property, attacking her inside and stabbing her multiple times. Her father heard the commotion and rushed to help, managing to take her to a nearby medical facility while she was still alive. However, her injuries were too severe, and she died shortly after arriving, as reported by Tribuna Online.
Arrest and Investigation
The suspect fled the scene but later turned himself in at the Horizonte Civil Police station hours after the attack. The Ceará Military Police arrested him, and he is being investigated on suspicion of femicide, the intentional killing of a woman because of her gender.
Social Media Activity
Karol's final social media posts on Friday night reportedly showed her attending the party. In recent days, she had also posted about relationships and break-ups, writing: “I already pay for everything myself, I manage on my own. If it’s not to protect me, to make me loved, pampered and respected, what would I want a man for?” She leaves behind a young son.
Femicide Context
Femicide is generally defined as the intentional killing of women and girls because of their gender, often linked to misogyny, systemic sexism, domestic abuse, and coercive control. In the UK, the most comprehensive independent tracking is compiled by the UK Femicide Census, alongside figures and trends published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). On average, one woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK.
