Daughter of Brazilian congressman is stabbed to death as estranged husband is arrested at farm house

The daughter of a Brazilian congressman was stabbed dead at her home Friday, according to a Mato Grosso state law enforcement official.

Raquel Cattani, 26, was found by her father, Mato Grosso state deputy Gilberto Cattani, inside one of the rooms at her residence in the rural town of Pontal de Marape.

Her husband, Ramiro Xavier, was taken into custody after he arrived at the home and told cops that he was not involved in the killing.

César Roveri, the secretary for the Mato Gross State Public Security, met with reporters to confirm that Raquel Cattani's death was caused by a stabbing following reports that she had been shot dead.

The farm home was ransacked, and her cell phone was missing. A motorcycle was also stolen.

Roveri said that Military Police was involved in the search for the motorcycle and the suspects. A surveillance helicopter was also deployed to help with the mission.

Metropoles news outlet reported that Raquel Cattani and Ramiro Xavier were in the process of settling their divorce.

The young woman owned a company that produced artisanal cheeses in the municipality of Nova Mutum.

The company was awarded a gold medal and a super gold medal at the 2024 Brazilian Cheese World Championship that was held in São Paulo in April.

Raquel Cattani leaves behind two children, a three-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy. It's unknown if the children at the time of the crime. 

Congressman Cattani had yet to publicly comment on his daughter's murder.

Mato Grosso Governor Mauro Mendes lamented Raquel Cattani's murder.

'We received news of the death of our friend (Gilberto) Cattani's daughter and I immediately ordered our security forces to act to clarify what happened,' Mendes said in a statement. 

'A shocking death, even more so for a father. Virginia and I are praying that God may give strength and comfort to the deputy and his entire family.'