Leiloeiro’s ex-wife held over alleged attempt to take over his Rio business

Elaine Lourenço Menezes Nunes was arrested on Wednesday over an alleged attempt to take control of her late ex-husband’s company in Rio de Janeiro.

Investigators say she arrived with armed men, who restrained the gatekeeper and entered the business premises.

Security footage reportedly shows workers being searched and a member of the group taking the gate keys; investigators also say workers were threatened.

A judge ordered her held in pre-trial detention on Friday, a measure that can last while the court considers her a risk to the case or society.

The company is at the centre of an inheritance dispute following the death of auctioneer Rogério Menezes Nunes on October 22, aged 62.

His ex-wife claims rights to his assets and business, while Juliana de Andrade Souza says she was his partner until his death.

Police are investigating the alleged actions, and military police have opened a separate procedure to examine the involvement of officers who were present; those officers were questioned and released.

The Civil Police say their investigation is continuing to determine whether other crimes occurred.