Photo: NSW Police Force
Cecilia Haddad’s body was found floating in the Lane Cove River in Woolwich, on Sydney’s lower north shore, by two kayakers on Sunday April 29.
The 38-year-old Brazilian National’s former business partner and lover, Mario Marcelo Santoro, has reportedly been named as a ‘person of interest’ by police but not a suspect.
Mr Santoro flew out of Sydney just hours before her body was discovered, but claims he knew nothing of her death until police contacted him, reports The Australian.
The 40-year-old was photographed with his two children near Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro yesterday.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, his mother, Jane Santoro, denies her son had any involvement in Ms Haddad’s death.
“The police called him from Australia and talked through everything with him. It was just clearing things up,” she said. “Everything that needs to be resolved about the girl (Ms Haddad) needs to be resolved in Australia now … She was just his ex-girlfriend. He found out what happened from the police.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Ms Haddad’s heartbroken mother, Milu Muller, spoke out following news of her daughter’s tragic death.
“I think she was too good for this world,” Milu Muller told Fairfax Media.
“I do not know if I will survive this tragedy,” she continued. “Maybe if they arrest the murderer, I may have some relief.”
“Thank you and please do everything to help catch the monster that did this.”
Ms Haddad had worked for a mining company in Western Australia before she moved to NSW in 2016 where she worked as a logistics manager for a freight company. She had also recently started her own business.
“By all accounts, Cecilia enjoyed an active social life and had made a large circle of friends during her time in Sydney,” Det A/Insp Sim said in a statement by police.
“Concerns were raised for her welfare after she failed to attend various appointments on Saturday (28 April 2018).
“Police spoke to a number of friends and associates in those initial stages, who described it as completely out of character.
“So far, we have been able to establish Cecilia went to a barbeque on Friday night and then spoke to friends on Saturday morning, but her movements after that time are unknown.
“We’ve been told her vehicle was seen outside her home on Saturday afternoon, so we are very keen to speak with anyone who may have seen her or her vehicle after that time.”
Haddad’s body was found fully clothed by two kayakers around 10:15 on Sunday morning.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Bronwyn investigators to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our social media pages.
