Rescue and Arrest
Emiliane Tamara Nunes Carvalho, a 24-year-old nurse, was rescued on Friday, August 21, after being held captive for five days in a house in the Jardim América III neighborhood of Águas Lindas de Goiás, Brazil. Military Police found her chained to a bed, with her hands and feet bound, wearing a gas mask, inside a soundproofed room. Her ex-partner, Ailton Rodrigues de Souza, 46, was arrested after a chase.[S1][S2]
The investigation began after the family reported her disappearance. Given her history of violence against Rodrigues de Souza, he became the main suspect. Police tracked him to a rented house and arrested him after he tried to flee. Inside, they found chains, handcuffs, ropes, food supplies, and a 9mm pistol.[S1][S2][S3]
The Kidnapping
The kidnapping occurred on Monday, August 17. Emiliane had planned to meet her ex-partner to discuss child support for their two children, aged 2 and 4. Instead, he attacked her with a cloth soaked in an unknown substance, causing her to lose consciousness. When she woke, she was bound and he told her she would never leave, that his life was over and hers would end too.[S1][S2]
The room was soundproofed to prevent her cries from being heard. A gas mask was used to prevent her from calling for help. Police found a letter signed by Emiliane asking her family not to call the police, but they believe she was forced to write it. The amount of food stored suggested the kidnapping was planned for a long duration.[S1]
History of Abuse
Emiliane had reported multiple incidents of violence after separating from Rodrigues de Souza in December 2025. These included damaging her car wheels to cause an accident, contaminating her water tank with caustic soda, graffiti on her house, and unauthorized entry. He allegedly repeated the phrase, "You're mine or you're nobody's."[S1][S2]
The victim said she feared reprisals and did not report earlier. She described him as a dangerous man who harassed her with firecrackers, graffiti, and vandalism. After the rescue, she also reported sexual abuse during the five days of captivity.[S2][S1]
Aftermath
Emiliane was found with injuries including burns on her lips and mouth, difficulty swallowing, eye lesions, bruises, swollen hands, and marks on her arms, feet, legs, and neck. She had difficulty looking at phone screens due to light sensitivity. She was hospitalized and is stable.[S1][S3]
She thanked her family, neighbors, and the community for their support, saying she felt welcomed and that without their efforts she wouldn't be alive. She stated that her ex-partner never intended to release her and was well-supplied. Rodrigues de Souza remains in custody with preventive detention confirmed.[S1][S2]
