A four-year-old girl, Ester Izabelle, was tragically found dead inside a well in São Lourenço da Mata, Brazil, on October 21, in what police suspect was a kidnapping. Her body was discovered next to a condom and a chocolate milk wrapper, raising concerns of potential sexual assault.
Ester went missing the day before while playing with her seven-year-old brother near a football pitch close to her home in the Pixete neighbourhood. Her aunt, Lidiane Santos da Silva, told local media that a stranger had abducted Ester. Her brother returned home to report the incident, prompting a massive search operation. Ester’s body was ultimately found by her uncle in a well at a neighbouring property.
Authorities said the well was approximately 3.7 metres (12 feet) deep and covered with a concrete slab. Ester was found upside down, half-naked, and with signs of physical abuse, particularly to her head. Police Chief Sergio Ricardo confirmed that there were indications of possible sexual assault.
Ester’s uncle, identified only as Nazario, described the horrifying scene: “It was the worst experience of my life, finding my niece upside down with only her legs visible in the well.”
Two men who had been living in the house where the well was located were taken in for questioning. The property had reportedly been rented for about six months. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of Ester’s death.
