LAST UPDATE | 22 Aug

THE DEATH OF a Brazilian woman at an apartment in Limerick City on Friday has sparked a murder investigation today.

Jady Cristine Pereira Rosa, 30s, was found dead by gardaí, inside her apartment at Carlton House, Cecil Street, around 7am on Friday.

It is understood she was stabbed to death.

Gardaí said they are following a definite line of enquiry and were understood to have been looking to question a male in connection with the killing.

A post-mortem performed by the State Pathologist confirmed that Rosa died a violent death.

“The results of this post-mortem examination are not being released for operational reasons. An Garda Síochána is now carrying out a murder investigation,” said a garda spokesman.

“A Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to support the family of the deceased,” he added.

The apartment remained sealed off Saturday as specially trained officers performed forensic examinations at the apartment.

“The scene remains preserved, and a technical examination is ongoing by the Garda Technical Bureau,” said the spokesman.

“A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation. An incident room has been established at Henry Street Garda Station,” he said.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212400.

Investigations are ongoing, gardaí said.

It’s understood the alarm was raised by a friend of the woman after she did not turn up for work. 

The woman was considered a reliable employee at a major grocery outlet in Limerick and when she did not show for work her workmates and supervisor grew concerned and alerted authorities.

“She was very popular and very reliable,” a source said.

“It’s an awful situation for her family and friends.”

Gardaí attended the apartment block around 7.30am on Friday morning and immediately sealed off the building.

Detectives and uniformed officers were conducting door-to-door enquiries and harvesting CCTV footage from the apartment block and surrounding areas.

Tributes poured in for Rosa, who was a native of Sorocaba, a city in the state of São Paulo.

A loved one said she was in “endless sadness” and “total mourning” at Rosa’s death.

A friend of Rosa’s posted a picture online of them together and said: “Eternal memories of you, my dear. Only God knows how much you helped me and how contagious your joy was. May the Lord Jesus receive you in his arms eternally.”

“We had many happy moments but today, you went to live with Jesus. Eternal memories. I will never forget your kindness,” she added.