The body of lone traveller and mother was discovered at the roadside a week after going missing. Suzan Christian Barbosa Ferreira, originally from Brazil, went to the US last month, leaving behind her two children to source suppliers for her family’s imported goods business.
It was her first journey outside of Brazil. The grim discovery of the 42 year old woman’s corpse was made in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Police speculate that a sexual motive precipitated the crime.
Barbosa, from Belo Horizonte in Brazil, disappeared a week before her body was discovered, according to her relatives.
Her sibling, Roberta Barbosa Ferreira, grew worried when Suzan ceased responding to calls and messages. Roberta depicted her sister as “naive, kind, and always willing to help others”, reports the Mirror.
On July 9, officers arrested Fareed George Hajjar, a local resident, relating to the case. Hajjar, aged 57, faced charges from the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office on July 12.
Hajjar must answer to two felony counts involving dead bodies: disinterment and mutilation, plus concealment of an individual’s death. His probable cause hearing is slated for July 25.
In relation to the collaborative investigative effort, Dearborn Police spokesperson Timothy McHale stated: “Our officers worked around the clock with Northfield Township to identify, develop a person of interest, and gather sufficient evidence to present the case to the prosecutor’s office.”
“While we have obtained some charges in this case, this continues to be an ongoing and very active investigation.”
The tragic victims family has resorted to launching a digital fundraising page to aid in the financial demands of repatriating her body back to Brazil. The costs involved are reckoned to be a staggering £14,200 (BRL 100,000) for returning Barbosas remains back to her homeland.
Confirming their involvement, Brazil’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged they were liaising with US representatives over the matter, as highlighted by the knowledgeable NeedToKnow.