A federal highway police officer invaded the residence of the commander of Guarda Municipal of Vitória in the early hours of Monday, March 23, 2026 and killed her with several shots. Diego Oliveira of Souza later took his own life at the scene. The victim Dayse Barbosa held the position of commander and coordinated public security actions in the capital of Espírito Santo.
Polícia Civil treats the case as feminicide. Investigations indicate that the agent did not accept the end of the relationship. Ele planned the action by taking a ladder and tools to break down the access door from the balcony of the house in the Caratoíra neighborhood.
- The victim was shot five times in the head while he slept.
- The attacker used his work weapon in the crime.
- Polícia found a pocket knife, alcohol charger, pliers and a lighter in his backpack.
- Dayse Barbosa had changed the locks on the residence after recent threats.
History of violence in the relationship
Dayse Barbosa’s father reported that the relationship was marked by arguments and episodes of control. Ele advised his daughter to end the union. Cerca five months before the crime, the agent had broken the gate latch and tried to use her gun to threaten her.
The commander changed the locks after new threats made about two days before the incident. Ela did not formally register police reports against his partner despite subsequent reports of possessive and jealous behavior.
Dayse Barbosa worked at Guarda Municipal of Vitória as a pedagogue with a postgraduate degree in Segurança Pública Municipal. Colegas and superiors highlighted her ethical dedication and commitment to combating violence against women in the city.
Previous investigation against the PRF agent
Diego Oliveira of Souza was responding to an administrative disciplinary process at Polícia Rodoviária Federal. The investigation involved a complaint of sexual harassment against a co-worker at an operational unit in the municipality of Campos of Goytacazes in Rio of Janeiro.
Last year the agent tried to grab and sexually assault his colleague while on duty. Ele called her to enter the unit, tried to kiss her forcibly and drag her to the bathroom. The victim resisted and the episode only ended when she threatened him with a car key and called the action an attempted rape.
The PRF’s Corregedoria opened an investigative procedure and adopted administrative measures to remove the two agents from the workplace. The investigation was in its final stages and could result in the police officer being fired.
Details of the break-in and crime scene
The agent assigned to Delegacia of the PRF in Campos of Goytacazes since 2020 used a ladder to access the balcony of the victim’s house. Ele broke through the door with tools and surprised Dayse Barbosa in the room. The shots were shot in the head and caused immediate death.
The delegate in charge of Delegacia from Homicídios and Proteção to Mulher Raffaella Aguiar coordinated the initial investigation. Equipes collected traces that indicate prior planning of the act. The investigation continues to clarify all aspects of the case.
Prefeitura of Vitória declared three days of official mourning for the death of the commander. Notas officials highlighted Dayse Barbosa’s legacy in public service and his constant work in favor of the population’s safety.
Reactions and context of the case
Polícia Rodoviária Federal issued a note of condolence for the death of Dayse Barbosa and also for the death of the agent himself. The institution reinforced that it is following the investigations conducted by Polícia Civil of Espírito Santo.
The secretary of Segurança Urbana of Vitória recalled the professional profile of the commander, always willing to help and committed to policies to combat domestic violence. The death occurred at a time when the capital of Espírito Santo recorded a period without feminicides in the city.
Dayse Barbosa leaves behind a daughter. Her body was veiled in Cemitério of Santo Antônio in Vitória. Familiares and colleagues from Guarda Municipal attended the burial.
Aspects of the ongoing investigation
Delegate Raffaella Aguiar highlighted that violence against women often begins with controlling behaviors such as restrictions on clothing or conversations. Ela reinforced the importance of seeking support from close networks when signs of abuse arise in the relationship.
Polícia Civil collects statements from witnesses and analyzes messages and reports about the relationship. The weapon used in the crime belonged to the PRF agent and will be examined to confirm its origin.
The investigation must determine whether there were omissions or failures in previous procedures related to the agent’s history. Corregedoria of the PRF maintains the disciplinary process active even after the death of Diego Oliveira of Souza.
Dayse Barbosa had shared a video on social media hours before the crime about women’s financial independence. The content was interpreted by family members as a sign of their search for autonomy in the relationship.
The investigation continues with analysis of all evidence collected at the residence. Autoridades work to deliver the final report in a timely manner and provide answers to the families involved.