Ireland Case No. 4018Murder · Co. Cork · 1 Jan 2023
Miller Pacheco sentenced to life for murder of ex-girlfriend Bruna Fonseca in Cork
Miller Pacheco, 32, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court in Cork on 23 January 2026 for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Bruna Fonseca, 28, whom he manually strangled at his apartment on Liberty Street, Cork, on 1 January 2023. The jury had found him guilty in just over an hour, and he accepted the verdict without plans to appeal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court19 Jan
3 reports - Convicted22 Jan
3 reports - Sentenced23 Jan
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports106 statements extracted from the articles
- whatExtensive bruising to her neck was consistent with manual strangulation using the right hand (irishtimes.com)
- whatNo evidence of alcohol or drugs was found in her system (irishtimes.com)
- whatNo fractures to her larynx or hyoid bone were found (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe told gardaí he tried to restrain her in a chokehold after she hit him (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe said he invited her to his apartment to FaceTime his family in Brazil (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe said seeing her kiss another man that night made him angry (irishtimes.com)
- whatBruna Fonseca was a librarian (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim apologised for cheating on the accused. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe couple had been in a five-year relationship. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim told the accused to accept the relationship was over and return to Brazil. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe accused had been getting psychiatric help in Brazil after the break-up. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim said they could not be friends because he was emotionally dependent on her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim told the accused to go back to Brazil and forget her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMiller Pacheco is 32 and from Formiga, Brazil (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Pacheco travelled to Cork two months after her arrival (irishtimes.com)
- whatThey broke up within days of his arrival (irishtimes.com)
- whatProsecution called him an arch manipulator and a coward (irishtimes.com)
- whatThere was no history of violence in the relationship (irishtimes.com)
- whatState Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster had not completely ruled out the accused's account of events (irishtimes.com)
- whatPacheco claimed he was trying to restrain Ms Fonseca from hitting him when he caught her in a choke hold around the neck. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe couple had been in a relationship for five years in Brazil but split up in December 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThey got back together shortly before Ms Fonseca came to Ireland in September 2022, with Pacheco coming to Ireland in November 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDr Bolster said the extensive bruising was in keeping with manual strangulation with a hand constraining the neck, and did not believe the bruises were due to a choke hold. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPhone analysis showed Pacheco visited a website entitled 'How to kill in Three Seconds' five minutes after texting his sister, followed by searches on 'What are the necessary conditions to kill someone' and 'Three ways to fight well with knives'. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPacheco did not give evidence during the trial but memos of his interviews with gardaí were read into evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBruna was 28 years old and a university graduate. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatBruna and Miller had been together for five years and were both from Formiga in Minas Gerais province. (corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatMiller sent Bruna almost 2,000 texts between his arrival in Cork on November 18, 2022 and her death on January 1, 2023. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatMiller also searched for the cost of repatriating a body to Brazil. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatAfter the killing, Miller FaceTimed his two best friends in Brazil, told them what he had done, and showed them the body of Bruna on the bed. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatMiller told gardai he used a move he had seen on TV and did not mean to kill Bruna. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatMiller went to the hospital where Bruna worked on Christmas Day 2022 and asked a staff member if she recognised her picture. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatA vigil was held at The Lough in Cork city after the murder. (corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatBruna's sister Izabel accompanied her remains on the repatriation journey to Brazil. (corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatBruna was laid to rest in a plot with her grandparents in a cemetery in Formiga. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatBruna moved to Ireland from Brazil in September 2022 with her young niece. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMiller's web history on 19 December 2022 included a visit to a site entitled 'How to Kill in Three Seconds'. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatOn the same night Miller visited a site on 'what are the necessary conditions to kill someone' and one on 'three ways to fight well with knives'. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMiller searched online for the cost of repatriating a body to Brazil. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAfter the killing, Miller FaceTimed his two best friends in Brazil and showed them the body of Bruna on the bed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe extensive bruising was in-keeping with manual strangulation with a hand constraining the neck, done with the right hand. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMiller told gardaí he used a move he had seen on TV and did not mean to kill Bruna. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMiller sent Bruna almost 2,000 texts between his arrival in Cork on 18 November 2022 and her death on 1 January 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMiller went to the hospital where Bruna worked on Christmas Day 2022 looking for her. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBruna was laid to rest in a cemetery in her home town of Formiga. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBruna suffered over 65 external and internal bruises to her body. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatThe jury unanimously rejected Miller's explanation that he was trying to stop Bruna from hitting him. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatMiller sent Bruna over two thousand messages from his arrival in Ireland on 18 November 2022 to her death on 1 January 2023. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatBruna was a university graduate and librarian who moved to Ireland in September 2022 with her young niece. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatMiller arrived in Ireland in November 2022 and the pair broke up within days of his landing in Cork. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatBruna and Miller had been in a relationship for five years in Brazil. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatMiller filmed Bruna kissing another man at the party and sent it to his friends in Brazil. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatBruna was laid to rest in a plot with her grandparents in a cemetery in Formiga, Brazil. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatBruna Fonseca was 28 years old and worked as a librarian. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMiller Pacheco was 32 years old and worked as an engineer. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPacheco and Fonseca had been in a five-year relationship before breaking up in January 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBruna Fonseca's parents are Tadeu Jose and Marina, who live in Brazil. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBruna Fonseca had come to Ireland to work and support her family in Brazil. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAfter the breakup, Pacheco had threatened to kill himself and Fonseca urged him to get psychiatric treatment. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOn the day of the murder, Fonseca took a knife off Pacheco because she feared for him. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBruna Fonseca was a Brazilian national. (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe was found dead in a flat rented by her former boyfriend in Cork city (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder occurred at the accused's apartment at Liberty Street in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe murder occurred at Pacheco's apartment at Liberty Street in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place in Miller's rented flat on Liberty Street, Cork city. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe murder took place in a rented flat in Liberty Street, Cork city. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at Pacheco's apartment on Liberty Street in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place on 1 January 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe recordings were made on 17 and 20 December 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder occurred on 1 January 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- causeCause of death was asphyxia due to manual strangulation (irishtimes.com)
- causeAnger, resentment and jealousy led him to kill her (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe accused put his hand over her throat and pressed, intending to kill her, in a manual strangulation with the right hand (irishtimes.com)
- causeBruna died as a result of asphyxia due to manual strangulation. (corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- causeBruna died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation. (corkbeo.ie)
- causePacheco manually strangled Bruna Fonseca. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe recordings were translated into English. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMiller Pacheco denies the murder charge (irishtimes.com)
- chargeMiller Pacheco is on trial for the murder of Bruna Fonseca. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe is charged with the murder of Bruna Fonseca (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court in Cork (irishtimes.com)
- courtThis was the sixth day of the trial (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury consisted of five men and seven women (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is being held at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial continues. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork (irishtimes.com)
- courtEvidence was heard from over 30 witnesses in the nine-day trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Siobhan Lankford remanded Pacheco for sentence on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury deliberated for one hour and two minutes before returning a unanimous guilty verdict. (corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury consisted of seven women and five men. (corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtSentencing was scheduled for noon the following Friday. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtAssistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster gave evidence to the jury. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtMs Justice Siobhan Lankford excused the jury for five years. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtSentencing was scheduled for noon the following day. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe jury took one hour and two minutes to find the accused guilty. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtMiller Pacheco's counsel confirmed he would not be lodging an appeal. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtThe jury took one hour and two minutes to find Pacheco guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing was carried out by Ms Justice Siobhán Lankford at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence counsel Ray Boland SC stated Pacheco would not appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- courtIzabel Fonseca delivered a victim-impact statement with the assistance of a Portuguese interpreter. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA life sentence is mandatory for a murder verdict. (corkbeo.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMiller Pacheco was jailed for life at the Central Criminal Court in Cork for the murder of Bruna Fonseca. (corkbeo.ie)
- sentenceMiller Pacheco was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Bruna Fonseca. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused is a Brazilian national. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused's full name is Miller Mizerani da Cunha Belo Pacheco. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused has denied the murder. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Jan2026‘Constant manipulation’: Man sentenced to life for murder of ex-girlfriend Bruna Fonseca in Cork
Reports the sentencing of Miller Pacheco to mandatory life imprisonment, including victim-impact statements from Bruna Fonseca's sister Izabel and cousin Marcela, and the judge's remarks referencing a recorded conversation in which Fonseca said 'I am not a trophy.'
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, Brazilian, non-irishBruna Fonsecaconvicted, Miller Pacheco, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Miller Pacheco - 23 Jan2026Family of murdered woman react as her ex-boyfriend is sentenced in Cork court
Sentencing hearing details including victim impact statements from Bruna's sisters Izabel and Fernanda, cousin Marcela, and niece Maria; cause of death confirmed as asphyxia due to manual strangulation with over 65 bruises; details of the relationship, the night of the murder, and the jury's rejection of the accused's self-defence explanation.
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, Brazilian, non-irishBruna Fonsecaconvicted, Miller Pacheco, 32, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishMiller Pacheco - 22 Jan2026Man found guilty of murdering ex-girlfriend, who was strangled to death in flat
Reports the guilty verdict returned after a one-hour-and-two-minute jury deliberation, details of the trial evidence including the pathologist's findings of over 65 injuries, the prosecution's characterisation of the killing, and the background of the relationship and events leading up to the murder.
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, Brazilian, non-irishBruna Fonsecaconvicted, Miller Pacheco, 32, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishMiller Pacheco - 22 Jan2026Man found guilty of murdering ex-girlfriend in Cork city flat
Jury of seven women and five men returned a unanimous guilty verdict after one hour and two minutes of deliberation; sentencing (mandatory life sentence) scheduled for noon the following Friday, with victim impact statements to be made by the Fonseca family.
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, Brazilian, non-irishBruna Fonsecaconvicted, Miller Pacheco, 32, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishMiller Pacheco - 22 Jan2026Man (32) found guilty of ex-girlfriend’s murder in Cork on New Year’s Day 2023
Jury verdict of guilty returned after a nine-day trial; Pacheco remanded in custody for sentence.
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, non-irish (judged from name)Bruna Fonsecaconvicted, Miller Mizerani da Cunha Belo Pacheco, 32, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishMiller Mizerani da Cunha Belo Pacheco - 21 Jan2026Man accused of murdering Bruna Fonseca a ‘coward’ and ‘arch manipulator’, jury told
Prosecution and defence closing speeches delivered at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork; judge to continue jury charge on Thursday.
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, non-irish (judged from name)Bruna Fonsecaaccused, Miller Pacheco, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Miller Pacheco - 20 Jan2026Bruna Fonseca told accused relationship was over and to get help, trial hears
Trial heard over two hours of audio recordings made by the victim on 17 and 20 December 2022, in which she apologised for cheating, told the accused the relationship was over, and urged him to return to Brazil and seek psychiatric help. The accused has denied the murder.
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, non-irish (judged from name)Bruna Fonsecaaccused, Miller Pacheco, 32, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishMiller Pacheco - 19 Jan2026More than 65 injuries to Bruna Fonseca’s head, body and limbs, murder trial hears
Sixth day of trial: pathologist's evidence on cause of death (asphyxia due to manual strangulation), 65+ injuries, no alcohol/drugs, no larynx/hyoid fractures; accused's account to gardaí of a chokehold and self-defence.
victim, Bruna Fonseca, 28, female, Brazilian, non-irishBruna Fonsecaaccused, Miller Mizerani da Cunha Belo Pacheco, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishMiller Mizerani da Cunha Belo Pacheco