Rescue and Discovery

A 24-year-old woman was rescued by police in Brazil after being reported missing, with authorities alleging she was kidnapped and held captive by her ex-boyfriend. Emiliane Tamara Nunes Carvalho was found tied up with ropes and handcuffs at a property in Águas Lindas de Goiás, according to police. She reportedly had difficulty breathing when discovered.

Video footage shared by police shows officers cutting a lock to enter the home, storming the building, and kicking down a door to reach a room at the back. Inside, Carvalho is seen shaking while tied to a mattress with several ropes and chains, with a mask and gag attached to her face. The clip was recorded on Friday, and she has since been discharged from hospital.

Timeline and Investigation

Carvalho was reported missing on August 17 after her family said she failed to return from a doctor's appointment. The Daily Star reported that she was last seen on CCTV at around 1pm that day after leaving a clinic in Águas Lindas de Goiás and crossing a footbridge. She then stopped responding to calls and messages, prompting police to be alerted.

During the investigation, police identified a history of domestic violence involving her ex-partner, Ailton Rodrigues de Souza, who had also not been seen since leaving work on August 17, according to Daily Star. Investigators discovered he had bought a new car, spotted travelling through Águas Lindas de Goiás on Friday, August 21, leading to his arrest. Police subsequently located a house he had rented, which was found chained shut with a padlock. After hearing noises coming from inside, officers gained entry and found Carvalho immobilised and struggling to breathe.

Police allege Souza staged his own disappearance to divert attention from himself. His own family reported him as missing too, which increased suspicion, according to multiple sources. Souza was arrested on the day Carvalho was found. The Irish Sun reported that he reportedly resisted officers as they detained him.

Victim's Account

Carvalho told police she was disorientated and did not know how many days she had been held. According to The Daily Star, Rodrigues confessed to drugging her with antidepressants and taking her to the property. She has since received medical treatment, been discharged from hospital, and is recovering well, the newspaper reported.

On Saturday, Carvalho said on social media that she was still recovering from her injuries, according to multiple sources. She claimed she is still under medication and that her wounds had affected her ability to see. She also alleged she had been assaulted while inside the property and that her ex-partner used burning cloths to torch her skin.

In a statement reported by The Daily Star, Carvalho said: "I'm completely burned inside because he used to put acid-soaked cloths inside me." She also asked for help and support to stop her ex from hurting more women.

Legal Actions and Evidence

After raiding the property, police seized a 9mm pistol, sedatives, and items used to restrain the alleged victim, according to Daily Mirror and Daily Express. Souza is expected to face charges of kidnapping and illegal possession of a firearm, The Daily Star reported. The investigation remains ongoing.

A letter found at the property suggested Carvalho feared she might be killed, as she told her family not to call the police and made arrangements for her belongings, The Daily Star reported. The motive for the crime remains under investigation, the newspaper added.

Relationship Background

Carvalho's relationship with Rodrigues had ended in December 2025, according to The Daily Star. Police claim he kidnapped her after she broke up with him, and that he held her captive because he refused to accept the breakup, as reported by multiple sources.