28-year-old woman found dead in Cork apartment, man in 20s detained by police

A man in his 20s remains in custody in connection with the suspicious death of Brazilian citizen Bruna Fonseca, who was pronounced dead early yesterday morning in his Cork city apartment.

Fonseca, 28, from Formiga, Minas Gerais. Brazil He worked as a contract cleaner at Mercy University Hospital in Cork and was understood to have lived in Ireland for less than a year.

At 6:30 a.m. yesterday, emergency services and the Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the scene.

Gardaí met a man she knew outside the building and took her to a bedroom in an apartment above Picasso Hair Studio on Liberty Street.

Fonseca was found to be unresponsive and attempted resuscitation, but was confirmed dead on the spot.

The apartment for rent is within meters of the Courthouse on Washington Street and close to Cork city centre.

The man was subsequently arrested and is still being held at the city’s Bridewell Garda railway station.

He is being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and may be detained for up to 24 hours from arrest.

Fonseca’s body was removed from the scene during lunchtime yesterday.

Her body was taken to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination performed by Dr Margaret Bolster, Assistant State Pathologist.

For operational reasons, the results have not been published.

The scene was cordoned off for a full technical and forensic examination by the Garda Technical Department.

Efforts are underway to trace the last movements of the deceased woman.

A door-to-door survey is conducted and CCTV footage of the area is reviewed.

Due to the large concentration of businesses in the area, police have access to CCTV footage to aid in their investigations.

Meanwhile, locals and passers-by expressed their shock at the death of the young woman. “It was a horrible start to the new year,” said one elderly man.

“What’s next for the world? The world has gone crazy. It’s so sad.

A middle-aged man also stopped and said “have mercy on her soul” when he noticed a young woman had died in the area under suspicious circumstances.

Many people also expressed disbelief at what happened on the way to Mass at the nearby St. Francis Church.

The death investigation is being led by the Senior Investigative Officer (SIO) and the Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed to keep the deceased’s family abreast of developments.

A split scene of a criminal investigator continues to investigate a flat that remains locked down. Anyone who can assist with Gardaí inquiries is asked to contact Bridewell Garda Station, Cork on 021 4943330. Alternatively, contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.