Martonio Alves Batista, a 55-year-old man, was arrested in Londrina, northern Paraná, on Thursday morning. He is the primary suspect in the murder and sexual assault of Giovanna dos Reis Costa, who was killed in April 2006 in Quatro Barras, near Curitiba. The case, which remained cold for years, has been reopened after a former stepdaughter of Batista reported recent sexual abuse and claimed that he referenced Giovanna during these crimes.

The circumstances surrounding Giovanna's death were gruesome, as her body was discovered in a remote area, wrapped in a trash bag with signs of sexual violence. Initially, Batista was considered a suspect due to his proximity to the victim's family, although he did not have a close relationship with them. Despite the investigation at the time, Batista was never formally charged or arrested, and the case shifted focus to other suspects.

Now, nearly two decades later, the reopening of the case and the new claims against Batista offer a chilling reminder of unresolved cases of violent crime against children. With his defense noting a lack of access to the ongoing investigation, it raises questions about the evidence and the potential for justice in a scenario where memories and facts from 19 years ago are being scrutinized anew.