Bruna Fonseca murder case awaits post-mortem results over three months after killing

The case at Cork District Court was adjourned until April 26

Bruna Fonseca was buried in her home city of Formiga in the state of Minas Gerais, northwest of Rio de Janeiro, on January 16. File picture 

Preliminary post-mortem results are still awaited to advance the investigation of the killing of the young Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca in Cork on New Year’s Day, it emerged on Wednesday.

Sergeant John Kelleher said: “This is an alleged murder. The file is progressing. Post-mortem results are awaited. They (investigators) have asked for preliminary post-mortem results. We are awaiting same – we are awaiting the preliminary post-mortem results. That is one of the things we are waiting for.” 

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said: “The matter has now been in existence for three-and-a-half months. 

I would have been surprised that results of post-mortem would not be available by now.

Judge Olann Kelleher said he would adjourn the matter but added: “I need to know the reasons for the delay for the post-mortem results.” 

These matters arose at Cork District Court where Miller Pacheco appeared by video link from prison. A Portuguese interpreter was sworn in for the hearing at Cork District Court.

Judge Olann Kelleher remanded him in continuing custody until April 26.

As the brief matter concluded in Cork District Court, the accused said from prison: “OK, obrigado”. Mr Buttimer previously indicated that the accused had been refused bail in the High Court.

Miller Pacheco (pictured) is charged with the murder of Bruna Fonseca at Liberty Street, Cork on January 1 contrary to Common Law. File picture: Dan Linehan

Miller Pacheco is charged with the murder of Bruna Fonseca (28) at Liberty Street, Cork on January 1 contrary to Common Law.

The late Ms Fonseca was a native of Formiga in Minas Gerais province, northwest of Rio de Janeiro, and was a qualified librarian, who had come to Cork in September and had been working as a contract cleaner at the Mercy University Hospital. 

The late Ms Fonseca’s remains were taken to her home city of Formiga in the state of Minas Gerais, northwest of Rio de Janeiro, and her funeral took place there on January 16 before mourners led by her father, Tadeu José Fonseca, and mother, Marina dos Reis Palhares Fonseca.