'Beaten to death and strangled'

Bruno Fonseca was attacked shortly after returning to her apartment in Cork City, in the early hours of January 1st, following a New Years Eve night out. The 28-year-old Brazilian woman had posted photos of herself on social media, celebrating the New Year with friends, shortly before she was killed. Gardai have confirmed that they are treating the death as suspicious and have begun questioning a suspect, according to the Irish Mirror. Gardai attended the woman's flat at 6.30am on Sunday. They met a man outside and he took them to a bedroom in the premisis over Picasso Hair Studio on 5 Liberty Street in Cork's city centre. The Irish Mirror reports that Ms Fonseca appeared to have been 'beaten to death and strangled' and was unresponsive. She was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene. A man was arrested and remains in custody at Bridewell Station in Cork city, under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. Ms Fonseca's body was removed from the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital for a post mortem examination by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster. The scene was sealed off for a full technical and forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau, door-to-door inquiries will be carried out and CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed. Ms Fonseca had been living in Ireland since September and was a qualified librarian and a graduate of the Centro Universitário de Formiga. The team at Mercy University Hospital, where Ms Fonseca worked as a contract cleaner, have paid tribute to their late colleague: “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.”

If you can assist Gardai with their inquiries, please contact Bridewell Garda Station, Cork on 021-4943330. Alternatively, please contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any station.

Main image via An Garda Siochana