On the morning of Carnival on February 17, 2026, a tragic incident occurred in Rio das Pedras, Brazil, where a 41-year-old woman named Fernanda Meireles was murdered by her ex-partner, Anderson Diniz, aged 42, during a heated argument. Despite being separated, the couple had reconnected and their disagreement escalated to violence, leading to Diniz stabbing Meireles. After the attack, he attempted to take his own life but ultimately confessed to the crime and was arrested by the police.

Fernanda Meireles's death is particularly significant as she has been identified as the first victim of feminicide in the region for the year 2026, with her case drawing attention to the ongoing issue of domestic violence in Brazil. It was reported that Meireles had previously filed two complaints for domestic violence against Diniz, highlighting a troubling pattern of abusive behavior. The couple shared two daughters, ages 14 and 6, who are now left without their mother amidst this tragedy.

The incident raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of measures to protect victims of domestic abuse, as the police were only notified of the situation in the afternoon, several hours after the crime was committed. This delay occurred when Diniz contacted his mother to inform her of the situation. As investigations continue, questions remain regarding the support systems in place for victims of domestic violence, and whether more proactive interventions could have potentially saved Meireles’s life.