Hermit shoots ex-wife
2004-09-06 09:11
Pretoria - Four years after his family saw him last, 65-year-old Pretoria hermit Fransisco Carreira shot dead his former wife Fermina and daughter-in-law Heili before turning the gun on himself.
Both women were shot in the head on Friday.
His son José and granddaughter Gabriella, 8, escaped the family tragedy.
Heili was rushed to Pretoria Academic Hospital, but died en route.
Sizalda Nogueira, a neighbour, said on Sunday the tragedy had shocked the neighbourhood.
"I heard five shots on Friday evening and then the most terrible screams."
She said someone shouted: "Phone the police! Phone the ambulance."
She said both Carreira's granddaughter Gabriella and her father, José, were in shock.
The couple divorced four years ago
Large bloodstains on a carpet in the main bedroom and blood spatters against the passage wall told the story of Friday night's tragedy.
Carreira's dog is apparently traumatised by the events, refusing to eat or drink.
Nogueira said Carreira was involved in a bitter family disagreement over ownership of the house, which apparently belonged to his ex-wife.
The couple divorced four years ago.
Carreira's son, daughter-in-law and ex-wife had travelled to Pretoria from Pietermaritzburg that day to discuss the house.
Carreira senior invited his family in and an argument ensued.
Carreira junior and his daughter went to the car to fetch something.
His father then locked all the doors.
The next moment shots went off.
Animal welfare inspectors are looking after Carreira's dog.