Man Faces R$160k Claim in Gym Murder Case

Security footage captured the moment the attack unfolded in the parking lot of the establishment. At approximately 6:41 PM on January 5, the suspect was seen sitting in his vehicle before approaching the victim as he exited the facility.

The footage reveals a calculated approach: the suspect stood up and concealed a knife behind his back as Schmidt Prado walked by. After a brief exchange of words, the violence began.

The victim attempted to flee the scene but was pursued and attacked multiple times. The assault continued even after he managed to enter the gym seeking help. Police reports indicate the suspect stood by and observed the victim's suffering without offering assistance.

Key details from the incident include:

• The victim sustained five stab wounds total
• Attacks occurred both in the parking lot and inside the gym
• A military police officer intervened to subdue the attacker
• The weapon was recovered at the scene

The indictment filed by the Ministério Público do Paraná (MP-PR) classifies the crime as a triply qualified homicide. The charges are based on three aggravating factors: base motive, use of cruel means, and employment of resources that hindered the victim's defense.

Beyond the criminal charges, the prosecution is seeking civil damages. The request is for the payment of 100 minimum wages, which totals approximately R$160,000. This sum is designated as reparation for the damages caused to the victim's family.

"The request for payment of the indemnity is 'as a title of reparation for the damages caused.'"

The case file remains under judicial seal. The court must now decide whether to accept the indictment, formally constitute the suspect as a defendant, and maintain the requested compensation amount.

Investigators determined that the crime was driven by personal resentment. According to police reports, the suspect and the victim did not know each other personally, though they had spoken on the phone four months prior to the incident.

That previous contact occurred when the suspect's wife informed him of a brief past relationship with Schmidt Prado. The couple had been living separately and were in the process of a divorce, reportedly due to financial crises and marital issues.

Despite the four-month gap since that revelation, police believe the discovery fueled the suspect's actions. A police official noted that the motivation was linked to the relationship, describing it less as jealousy and more as a "revolt" over the situation while the couple was separated.

During the arrest, the suspect reportedly told the intervening officer that the victim had "messed with his wife."

David Schmidt Prado, 37, worked in the administrative sector of a chain of fuel stations in Londrina. He was a father to a six-year-old son and was in a relationship of three months at the time of his death.

His family hails from Cornélio Procópio, a city located approximately 67 kilometers from Londrina, where his burial took place on January 7.

His partner, Jheniffer Balardi, clarified to local media that she did not know the suspect and was not involved in the events that motivated the crime. She described Schmidt Prado as transparent and stated he had not indicated he was facing any threats.

The suspect, Lucas Wancler Ferreira dos Santos, has been in preventive custody since a custody hearing on January 6, one day after the killing. He remained silent during his initial deposition.

The defense attorney, Thais Indiara Pereira dos Santos, stated that the legal team is monitoring the investigation. In a formal statement, the defense noted they would not comment on the indictment at this time but emphasized their commitment to due process.

"The defense limits itself to reiterating its commitment to due process and the preservation of the rights and guarantees of the investigated."

The judicial process is now underway, with the court tasked with reviewing the evidence and determining the next legal steps.

The case now moves to the judicial phase where a judge will evaluate the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense's arguments. The decision regarding the homicide charges and the R$160,000 compensation claim will determine the legal consequences for the suspect.

This tragic event highlights the severe outcomes of personal disputes and the legal mechanisms in place to address violent crime. As the proceedings continue, the focus remains on the judicial review of the indictment and the pursuit of justice for the victim's family.