Strangler ex convicted of Bruna's murder

Jury return verdict on 'coward' Pacheco

- BY OLIVIA KELLEHER

SEALED OFF Gardai at the flat on Liberty Street in Cork

A MAN has been found guilty of murdering his ex who was strangled to death after she went to his flat to FaceTime a family member minding their dog back home in Brazil.

A jury at the Central Criminal Court in Cork took one hour and two minutes to convict Miller Pacheco, 32, of the killing of Bruna Fonseca on New Year's Day 2023 in his rented flat in Liberty Street in the city.

Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford thanked the jury for their diligent service.

Bruna's family cried and embraced each other when the unanimous verdict was returned.

Miller Pacheco wept and was hugged by his parents when the judge retired to her chambers.

He will be sentenced today at noon. However, a life sentence is mandatory for murder.

Victim impact statements will be made by members of the Fonseca family at the sentencing hearing. Bruna, who was a university graduate, had moved to this country from Brazil in September 2022 with her young niece in search of a “better life”.

Bruna and Miller had been together for five years. The couple, who were both from Formiga in Minas Gerais province, split within days of him coming to Cork in November 2022.

Bruna, 28, repeatedly apologised to Miller for ending the relationship. She tried to him help him pick up the pieces as he was devastated following the split.