The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 41-year-old Genivaldo Gomes Moreira in connection to an arson fire that destroyed a Deerfield Beach home, resulting in the deaths of a woman and her dog. According to BSO, Moreira was arrested Sunday night and is accused of setting the fire that claimed the life of 54-year-old Ana Paula Ribeiro De Souza.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to the scene at Northwest 43rd Street and Northwest 4th Avenue around 4:30 a.m., where they encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from one side of the duplex, according to Battalion Chief Michael Kane. As firefighters fought the fire, they discovered the victim, Ana Paula Ribeiro De Souza, a mother of four, deceased in a back bedroom.
Kimberly Silva, the daughter of the victim, said she received a frantic call from a family member on Friday morning, informing her of the devastating fire. Silva revealed that her mother had a turbulent relationship with her ex-boyfriend, whom she had been dating for only six months. The whereabouts of the ex-boyfriend remain unknown.
Silva expressed her heartbreak, stating, “I want justice for my mother because she didn’t deserve to die like that. From the way they found her, she wasn’t completely burned. But from the evidence they found at the scene, it showed she was likely murdered before the fire was set.”
The family living next to the unit that caught fire was able to escape safely, and firefighters were able to bring the flames under control within about 20 minutes, according to Battalion Chief Michael Kane. However, long after the fire crews cleared the scene, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, continued their investigation.
Through their investigative efforts, homicide detectives identified Genivaldo Gomes Moreira as the primary suspect, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Officials said Genivaldo Gomes Moreira fled the scene in a gold 2002 Saturn. Law enforcement later located him in Manatee County, where he was taken into custody. He is expected to be extradited to Broward County to face charges.
Gomes Moreira is facing one count of felony murder, arson, and cruelty to an animal in connection with the tragic incident.
