Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes
The grisly remaining body parts of British teenager Cara Marie Burke, who was murdered and dismembered in Brazil last week, have been found, allowing her family to begin planning a memorial service.
The 17-year-old from Southfields, south London, was allegedly killed by her Brazilian boyfriend Mohammed D’Ali Carvalho dos Santos, 20.
Her torso was found in a suitcase near a river in the city of Goiania where they lived, last Tuesday. Her left leg was found on Sunday in a creek 20 miles away in central Bonfinopolis, near where Mr dos Santos said he had thrown them in a bag. Police uncovered her remaining body parts, including her head and forearms, in the same location on Monday.
According to Brazilian police, Mr dos Santos confessed to killing Cara on July 26, saying he fatally stabbed her in a cocaine-fuelled frenzy because she had threatened to expose him as a drug trafficker. He is also reported to have told friends he wanted to marry Cara, who he met in London, to gain British citizenship.
Police found gruesome photos of the murder on Mr dos Santos’ mobile phone and said he had admitted to killing Cara with a single stab wound using a butcher’s knife with a 25cm blade.
Lenita Aves, a spokeswoman for the Goiânia PolÍcia Civil, said last week: “He has told us he murdered her on Saturday night, left her body in the bath and went to a party on Saturday night before decapitating her the following day.”
“The murder was premeditated. He turned the music up on the stereo moments before the crime so neighbours wouldn’t hear her screaming.”
In an interview with The Sun on Saturday, Mr dos Santos described in gruesome detail how he dismembered his teenage girlfriend after killing her during an argument at his flat.
“I know I’m a monster for doing it. I was just so desperate to get that body out,” he told the paper from his jail cell in Goiania.
Cara’s family are devastated by her murder and have demanded police return her remains as soon as possible.
Her brother Michael Burke told The Times last week that Cara had been due to return to London two weeks ago but was injured in a motorcycle crash on the way to the airport.
“My mum had paid for the ticket home and we were looking forward to having her back,” Mr Burke said. “She was a wonderful sister.”
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
I knew Cara
she was a fun loving girl who would also go out of her way to say hello to you.
the vile person who did this shoud get life, and it should mean life.She did not deserve this happening to her and my thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
may you now rest in peace.
janet lehan, London, UK