Brazilian woman who took corpse to bank to apply for loan pleads not guilty

By Jorge Antonio Rocha ​​​​​​​

MEXICO CITY (AA) - Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes, who was caught April 16 taking a dead elderly man to a bank to withdraw a loan for $3,200 from his account in Rio de Janeiro, will remain in prison, Federal Police said Thursday.

Nunes’ lawyers said the 42-year-old woman stated that the man was alive on his way to the bank.

But Federal Police said the time of the man's death does not affect the case or charges against Nunes.

"Knowing whether he entered alive or dead provides more information, but it doesn't change the crime itself," Police Chief Fabio Luiz told Brazilian television network Wednesday. "This has little impact on the investigation. The video itself makes it clear to the viewer that the person is dead. Imagine she's not just watching; she's watching and touching. Just the fact that she continued, even though he was dead, already configures the crimes for which she will answer.”

CCTV footage from the bank in western Rio captured the moment when Nunes, the man’s allegedly caregiver, pushes him in a wheelchair and tries to force his signature for a loan. The man appears pale and unresponsive.

Bank employees decided to call the Emergency Medical Service. When medical staff arrived they found the man showed signs that he had already died hours prior. Subsequently, the military police were called in and Nunes was arrested.

Nunes' lawyer, Ana Carla de Souza Correa, said the man was alive when he entered the bank, state media Agencia Brasil reported.

Correa said Nunes was in a state of emotional distress and under the effects of medication when she was arrested.

Nunes has been formally accused of defamation of a corpse and attempted theft by fraud, although she maintains her innocence. ​​​​​​​