Bruno Fernandes de Souza, the goalkeeper of the Brazilian league champion team Flamengo, has turned himself in to police on Wednesday in connection with the disappearance and possible death of his ex-girlfriend, Eliza Samudio.
A spokeswoman for Rio de Janeiro's civil police department confirmed that Bruno, captain of Brazil's most popular team, and his friend Luiz Henrique Romão (Macarrão)turned themselves over to authorities for questioning regarding the alleged abduction and murder of 25-year-old Eliza Samudio.
Police said last week they had found blood stains in Bruno's home and car in Minas Gerais state, where the player grew up and where he met Eliza.
Inspector Edson Moreira confirmed that DNA tests proved the blood stains were those of Eliza.
Prosecutors in Rio said in a statement that a five-day preventive arrest warrant had been issued against Bruno, as well as the goalkeeper's wife Dayanne Rodrigues and Macarrão.
Bruno's 17-year-old cousin has confessed to being involved in the abduction of Eliza. According to the prosecutors' statement, the cousin said Eliza had been strangled, and that he would help police locate her body near Bruno's home in Rio. The statement provided no further information.
Rodrigues was placed under preventive arrest early on Wednesday in connection with the case.
Police have said the goalkeeper is suspected, along with two friends, of having beaten Eliza to death and hidden her body.
Eliza had this year began the legal process of trying to prove that Bruno fathered her 4-month-old son.
No one has been charged with a crime. Under Brazilian law, police must complete their investigations before formal charges are filed by prosecutors.
