'I never imagined': victim's neighbor hugged construction worker without knowing that he stabbed his ex to death

Video shows attack by man who stabbed his ex-partner to death on the coast of SP A neighbor of Paula Santos da Silva, killed by her ex-partner when leaving work in São Vicente, on the coast of São Paulo, said she hugged the killer shortly after the crime, before discovering that he was the perpetrator. The man, identified as Severino Alves Pereira, worked as a bricklayer in the victim's building for many years. According to social project manager Letícia Guedes, 36 years old, Severino was playful with the residents, but demonstrated different behavior on the day of the murder. "He wasn't normal, he was a little disturbed, even talking to himself", recalled the neighbor, who met him in the elevator at lunchtime. Severino provided maintenance services in the building where Paula lived. They had a brief relationship. Without accepting the end, he waited for the woman to leave work on Monday night (13) and attacked her with stabs in the stomach and neck, on Rua Tibiriçá, in the city center. Paula managed to travel a few meters before falling in front of the building where she lived, on Rua Frei Gaspar. Surveillance images recorded the victim walking with difficulty and asking for help. Video shows woman asking for help after being stabbed by her ex on the coast of SP Behavior Having lived in the building for 20 years, Letícia Guedes said that she knew the bricklayer's style and had a fondness for him due to how long they had lived together. That's why Severino's attitude before the crime was strange. "He didn't play. He didn't even look at my face properly, and he plays with me like hell. He watched my children's growth here in the building," he said, explaining that the employee appeared to be disturbed. Severino Alves Pereira, 56 years old, was arrested after killing Paula Santos g1 Santos and Social Networks Return to the building and hug The neighbor witnessed the moment Severino returned to the condominium after the attack on Paula. At the time, he had not yet been recognized as the perpetrator of the crime and identified himself to the police and witnesses as the victim's partner. “I still hugged him and said: ‘Wow, I didn’t even know you were dating. You’re the boyfriend in the building’”, recalled Letícia. She said she was shocked when she discovered who was responsible for the murder. “I never imagined he could have killed.” She said she was scared when she discovered that the man had committed the crime. “I never imagined that he could have killed,” he reported. Paula Santos da Silva tried to ask for help after being stabbed by her ex in São Vicente (SP). Reproduction and Social Networks Confession Severino was recognized on the monitoring cameras and, when questioned by the police, confessed and detailed the dynamics of the crime. According to the testimony, he attacked Paula when she was leaving work and then went to the Suspension Bridge to discard the knife he used. Afterwards, he went to Praça da Biquinha, where he washed his hands. According to the report, he started receiving calls from employees of the building, as the victim had no family in the city. The suspect said he returned to the condominium to check on Paula's daughter and found the police there. Paula Santos da Silva, 37, was stabbed to death by Severino Alves Pereira, 56, in São Vicente (SP) Reproduction Severino stated that he had affection for the girl and asked to see her. Accompanied by a police officer, he went to the apartment, where the child was removed and taken to the police station. The girl's father was called and was responsible for her. Meanwhile, the police analyzed images from security cameras and identified Severino as the perpetrator of the crime. He was arrested in the act after confessing to the murder. The man must answer for qualified feminicide, with the aggravating factors of recourse that made it difficult to defend the victim and ambush. VIDEOS: g1 in 1 Minute Santos